Box Score ETTRICK, Va. (February 24, 2018) – The nationally ranked Virginia State University men's basketball team secured a 55-53 victory over the Lions of Lincoln University tonight at the VSU Multipurpose Center. With the victory the men's basketball team have claimed the CIAA Northern Division Title finishing the regular season with a 23-3 overall record, 13-3 CIAA, and 9-1 in the Northern Division.
                              
THE BASICS
FINAL | Virginia State 55, Lincoln University 53
RECORDS | Virginia State 23-3 (13-3), Lincoln University 12-14 (7-9)
LOCATION | Ettrick, Va. (VSU Multipurpose Center)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Cyonte Melvin led the Trojans with 10 points, five rebounds and two steals on the evening. Trey Brown was VSU's second leading scorer, ending the contest with nine points, seven rebounds and three assists. Waymond Wright chipped in with eight points, followed by William Vedder with seven points. Brandon Holley and Andrew Corum chipped in with six points each.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half:
Virginia State started the contest with securing a three pointer by Cyonte Melvin to take a 3-0 lead. Cyonte Melvin then scored a layup for the Trojans at the 17:55 mark edging the Lions 5-0. The Trojans then jumped out to a 16-9 lead with 10:13 left in the first half. A layup by Cameron Campbell putting the Lions within two of the Trojans with 4:34 on the clock. The Lions then added a basket and one from the free throw line to take a 20-19 lead. The Trojans then scored back to back three-pointers by Brandon Holley with 0:38 seconds left to take tie the game 25 all to close out the half.
 
Second Half:
Virginia State started the second half scoring the first basket by Waymond Wright with 18:14 left in the contest to take a 27-25 lead. The Trojans then grew its lead 33-27 with 15:31 left on the clock. VSU then secured back-to-back three-pointers, advancing its lead 41-38 at the 9:47 mark. The Lions when added 11 points over the next five minutes to tie the score 49 all. The Trojans ended the game adding its final basket from the free throw line taking the victory, 55-53.
 
Virginia State ended the contest shooting 41 percent from the field (20-of-48), knocking down 9-of-24 three pointers (37 percent) and shooting 50 perfect from the free throw line (6-12).

 
UP NEXT
VSU return to action during the 2018 CIAA Basketball Tournament that will be held in Charlotte, NC at both the Bojangles Coliseum and the Spectrum Center beginning on Feb. 27 through Mar. 3.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU men's basketball please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.