Ettrick, VA- The Virginia State University women's basketball team outlasted the Lady Vikings of Elizabeth City State University, 58-55, on February 11.

The win advanced the Trojans to a 17-7 overall record, 9-5 in the conference.

Junior Endia McKinney led the way with 19 points. Senior Nandi Taylor followed up with 13 points while senior Taylor Daniels led the defensive effort for VSU securing 8 rebounds.

The Vikings were offensively led by Jalyn Brown who recorded 16 points. Jazmine Nixon led ECSU defensively, securing 7 rebounds.

The Vikings turned the ball over 17 times during the matchup, as VSU scored 18 points off of turnovers and ended the game with only ten turnovers.

On the Trojans second possession of the game, McKinney knocked down a three pointer to put the Trojans on the scoreboard first. VSU got off to a good start outscoring the Vikings 12-4 in the opening minutes, but a layup by Nixon sparked an 8-0 run for the Vikings with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. At the 44 second mark, a three pointer by Greenwood gave the Vikings their first lead of the night, but it was short lived. Junior Mia Fitts answered back from behind the arc with 15 seconds left in the quarter, giving the Trojans a 17-15 lead heading into the second quarter.

Both teams exchanged baskets to start the second quarter. At the 1:56 mark a pair of free throws by senior Tierra Richberg gave the Trojans a one point advantage (27-26), but VSU did not score for the remainder of the quarter trailing the Vikings 31-27 at the half.

The Trojans got off to a slow start in the third quarter, but back to back three pointers by McKinney kept VSU within striking distance. With 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter Joy Hickman hit a shot from behind the arc to narrow their opponents lead, 38-36.

The start of the fourth quarter mimicked the third. As the clock ran down, Taylor knocked down two three pointers to bring the Trojans within 5 points, as ECSU hung on to a 48-43 lead with 6:44 remaining in the game. Despite being down, the Trojans continued to fight and with 3:40 remaining on the game clock a layup by Mia Fitts would soon sparks a 9-0 run for VSU. Consecutive baskets by McKinney at the end of that run gave VSU their first lead of the second half, 53-52 with 1:27 remaining in the game. ECSU reclaimed the lead moments later as Brown hit a pair of free throws making it a one point game. With 46 seconds remaining in the game, McKinney nails her fifth and final three pointer of the game to give the Trojans a 56-54 lead. The Trojans would go 2-4 at the line and maintain the lead  clinching a 58-55 victory over the Lady Vikings.

VSU ended the night shooting 34% (17-50) from the field, 33.3% (9-27) from behind the arc, and 65.2% (15-23) at the line, while ECSU ended the game shooting 45.5% (20-44) from the field, 36.4% (4-11) from behind the arc, and 78.6% (11-14) at the line.

The Trojans will take on the Lady Bulldogs of Bowie State University on February 15 for VSU's Senior Night.  Tip-off is set for 5:30pm at the VSU Multipurpose Center.

VSU will continue to work hard to prepare for the 2017 CIAA Basketball Tournament on February 20-25 in Charlotte. NC.