ETTRICK, Va. (February 10, 2018) – The Virginia State University women's basketball team secured a 72-68 victory over the Hawks of Chowan University this afternoon at the VSU Multipurpose Center.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Virginia State 72, Chowan 68 

RECORDS | Virginia State 20-3 (10-3), Chowan 17-5 (9-3)

LOCATION | Ettrick, Va. (VSU Multipurpose Center)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Senior Alexis Smith led the Trojans with 24 points and two rebounds this afternoon. Dionna Marcus was VSU's second leading scorer with 16 points and cleaned up the glass with nine total rebounds. 

Junior Chrisanna Green chipped in with 10 points, while senior Mia Fitts finished with 9 points. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Chowan started the contest with a 3-0 lead at the 8:51 mark. Chrisanna Green secured the opening basket for the Trojans at the 7:17 mark to cut the Hawks' to a 5-2 lead. Virginia State tied the game at the 7:04 mark, with a three pointer by Dionna Marcus. Virginia State then pushed the lead to 9-6, nailing a jumper by Alexis Smith. With 3:02 left in the quarter, a jumper by VSU's senior Alexis Smith made the score 13-9 in favor of the Trojans. VSU then jumped to a 19-11 lead to close out the opening stanza.

Second Quarter:

Virginia State posted a 7-0 run to start the second frame to lead by double-figures, 26-11. Chowan secured a layup to cut the lead, 26-13 at the 7:09 mark. Senior Mia Fitts knocked down a three-pointer midway through the quarter to keep adding points to the board and growing VSU's lead, 29-15.

The Trojans then took a 15-point lead, 39-24, with 22 seconds left in the half.  Chowan knocked down one from the stripe, but the Trojans took a 39-25 lead into the locker room.

Third Quarter:

Mia Fitts secured the opening basket at the 5:41 mark to take a 41-34 advantage. The Trojans would keep the contest in their favor despite the Hawks' attempts to take the lead.  Chowan then knocked down a jumper with two free throws by Dhyamond Crenshaw to cut the deficit to 47-45. CU then hit a jumper to tie the contest at 52-all with 30 seconds left in the quarter.

VSU led 54-52 heading to the final stanza.

Fourth Quarter:

Chowan knocked down a three pointer to open the quarter, giving the Hawks their first lead of the contest, 55-54, since the first quarter. VSU countered with a 7-0 run to regain the lead and never hand it back, 63-57.

The Hawks trimmed the deficit to two, 66-64, with 3:08 remaining. Chowan would cut the deficit to two once again, 68-66, with 30 seconds remaining. The Trojans added its final basket of the contest with a layup by Alexis Smith with 11 seconds left, giving VSU a 72-68 victory.

UP NEXT

Virginia State will travel to face the Lady Vikings of Elizabeth City State on Saturday, February 17. Tip-off is slated for 2 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.