ETTRICK, Va. (January 10, 2018) -- A strong performance by Richard Granberry lifted the 16^th-ranked Virginia State Trojans to a 89-80 victory over the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University tonight at the VSU Multipurpose Center.
                                                           
Granberry finished with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shots from the field to go along with two rebounds and one block. Walter Williams posted a 14-point performance, to go with six rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals.
 
VSU's 89 points in the VSU Multipurpose Center was assisted by 32 points in the paint to match the Golden Bulls hot shooting from beyond the arc in the second half.
 
The Trojans (14-1, 4-1 CIAA) jumped out to a 7-5 lead early in the opening minutes of the contest, but the Golden Bulls continued to fight, tying the game 7-7 at 17:39 left in the first half. A layup by Granberry gave the Trojans a 9-7 edge. The teams then swapped the lead five times over the next minutes of play until the Golden Bulls secured two from the free throw line tying the game at 29-29 with 6:19 on the clock. The Trojans then secured 13 points to take an extended advantage into the break, 43-35.

The Trojans outscored the Golden Bulls 46-45 in the second half to earn the victory. VSU shot 61 percent (33-of-54) from the field to fuel another double-digit win at home this season.
 
The Golden Bulls were paced by Christian Kirchman, who posted 23 points on 9-of-18 shots in 40 minutes of action. With the loss the Golden Bulls move to 8-7 overall, 1-2in the CIAA.
 
Trey Brown contributed 11 points during the first period on 7-of-7 shots to go along with four rebounds and a block. Granberry chipped in eight points and one block of his own to help VSU shoot 60 percent (17-of-28) from the floor.
 
 
UP NEXT: The Trojans to travel to face I-95 rival Virginia Union University on Sunday, January 14 as they play in the 23^rd annual Richmond Freedom Classic at the Richmond Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.