Ettrick, VA- The Virginia State University women's basketball team closed out the regular season at home clinching a 59-55 win over the Bulldogs of Bowie State University.

The Trojans improve to an 18-7 overall record, 10-5 in the CIAA.

Seniors Joy Hickman and Nandi Taylor led the charge for the Trojans offensively tonight each recording 17 points. Junior Endia McKinney rounded out the double digit scoring for the Trojans with 12 points. Senior Taylor Daniels pioneered the Trojans defensive effort securing 15 rebounds.

Denver Clyde led the way for the Bulldogs offensively, while Kyaja Williams led the charge defensively with 10 rebounds.

The Trojans got off to a good start offensively going on an 11-3 run to begin the game. Hickman completed a three point play at the line to put the Trojans on the scoreboard first. Clyde responded for the Bulldogs with a three pointer to knot the score up, but the Trojans answered back with a pair of threes from Taylor and McKinney to jump out in front.

The Bulldogs continued to fight back and at the 3:52 mark a layup by Pere made it a 22-20 game in favor of the Trojans. The Trojans ended the first half with a 27-26 lead over the Bulldogs

The second half mimicked the first half as the Trojans got off to a good start with back to back threes from Taylor and Hickman to establish a 33-28 edge. A pair of trips to the line allowed the Bulldogs to stay in striking distance, but back to back three pointers by McKinney extended VSU's lead to 41-32 with 7:29 remaining in the third period.

The Trojans shot 53.3 percent from the field in the third quarter taking a 49-43 lead into the fourth quarter.

Despite VSU controlling the lead the entire contest the Bulldogs were able to make it a one possession game trailing the Trojans 53- 56 with two minutes remaining in regulation, but Hickman responded knocking one down from behind the arc to give the Trojans a six point lead at the 1:30 mark. Williams made a layup for the Bulldogs as the clock expired, but it would not be enough as the Trojans clinched the 59-55 win.

VSU ended the night shooting 45.5 percent (20-44) from the field, 42.9 percent (9-21) from behind the arc, and 62.5 percent (10-16) at the line, while BSU shot 38.9 percent (21-54) from the field, 35.7 percent (5-14) behind the arc, and 57.1 percent (8-14) at the line.

The Trojans will close out its regular season on the road as they travel to Lincoln, Pennsylvania, as they take on the Lady Lions of Lincoln University in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference match- up with tip-off slated for 2 pm.  

VSU will continue to work hard to prepare for the 2017 CIAA Basketball Tournament on February 21-25 in Charlotte, NC.

For more information on VSU Trojans women's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.