Box Score MURFREESBORO, N.C. (January 20, 2018) – The Virginia State University Women's Basketball team suffered a 65-61 loss to the Hawks of Chowan University this afternoon at the Helms Center.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL | #6 Virginia State 61, #9 Chowan 65 (regional rankings)
RECORDS | Virginia State 15-2 (5-2), Chowan 14-3 (6-1)
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Helms Center)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Senior Alexis Smith led the Trojans with 22 points and seven rebounds on the afternoon. Junior Chrisanna Green continued to clean up the glass with another double-double, scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Senior Keyana Brown chipped in with eight points, while senior Mia Fitts finished with six points. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
Chowan started the contest with a 2-0 lead. Chrisanna Green secured the opening basket for the Trojans at the 8:46 mark to cut the Hawks lead to 5-2. Chowan pushed the lead to 8-2 nailing back-to-back triples. With 6:18 left in the quarter a jumper by VSU's senior Endia McKinney made the score 8-7 in favor of the Hawks. Chowan then jumped to a 13-7 lead midway through the opening stanza.
 
A three pointer by Alexis Smith helped the Trojans close the gap to 19-18.  Chowan secured a layup to end the quarter, 21-18.
 
Second Quarter:
Senior Dionna Marcus secured the first basket cutting the Hawk's lead 21-20.  Chowan secured a pair from the stripe to keep the lead, 26-22. Junior Ebony Reynolds knocked down a jumper and a free throw midway through the quarter to keep adding points to board and cutting Chowan's lead, 30-27.
 
The Trojans went on a 10-2 run to take a two-point lead, 37-35, with 46 seconds left in the half.  Chowan knotted up the contest with a pair from the stripe but the Trojans took a 39-37 lead into the locker room.
 
Third Quarter:
Chrisanna Green secured a three-pointer followed by a jumper to secure five points for the Trojans making the score 46-45.
Virginia State went on a 7-0 run to take a one point lead. Alexis Smith added two points from the free throw line to give the Trojans the advantage heading into the final stanza.
 
Fourth Quarter:
The lead would switch hands twice in the quarter as Chrisanna Green regain the lead for the Trojans.  Chowan then netted a basket to hand the lead back to the Hawks. 
 
Alexis Smith's three pointer tied the contest for the second time at 52 all. The Hawks then added six points twice to give Chowan a 61-55 advantage. Mia Fitts secured a layup and a free throw for the Trojans to cut Chowan's lead 61-58. The Trojans continued to rally adding their final points from the free throw line, but were not able to take the game, falling 65-61.
 
UP NEXT
Virginia State will host the Lady Vikings of Elizabeth City State on January 24 at the VSU Multipurpose Center. Tip-off is slated for 5: 30 p.m.  
 
For the most up-to-date information on VSU women's basketball please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.