Box Score LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. (February 3, 2018) – The 23rd-ranked Virginia State University Women's Basketball team defeated the Lions of Lincoln University, 76-71, this afternoon at Manuel Rivero Hall.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL | #23 Virginia State 76, Lincoln University 71
RECORDS | Virginia State 19-2 (9-2), Lincoln 13-7 (7-4)
LOCATION | Lincoln University, Pa. (Manuel Rivero Hall)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Senior Alexis Smith led the Trojans with a double-double performance, collecting 20 points and 10 rebounds in her 40 minutes played. Junior Chrisanna Green continued to clean up the glass with six rebounds and 19 points. Keyana Brown finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.  Senior Mia Fitts chipped in with eight points and 10 rebounds. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The two teams combined to commit 53 fouls with both teams shooting a total of 72 free throws (31-38 for VSU; 24-34 for Lincoln).The Lions made one more field goal than the Trojans (21-20) but it was VSU who was more efficient with their shooting, 20-49 (40.8%) to LU's 21-52(33.9%).  The Trojans outrebounded the Lions, 43-38, while Lincoln committed eight fewer turnovers (13-21).


Virginia State took their largest lead of the game 41-32 with 6:09 left in the third quarter when the Lions began their comeback with an 11-3 flourish to tie the game at 43-43 with 2:56 left in the period.  Three point field goals from LU's Pendleton and Bailey started the run with Fitzgerald putting the finishing touches with a layup, followed by a traditional three point play to tie the score before being forced to with foul trouble.  Brown scored the next four VSU points before Pendleton's three-point play  brought Lincoln back within one point, 47-46, with 14 seconds left.  Brown scored a last second layup to make the score 49-46 in favor of the Trojans heading into the final quarter.

LU's DeeDee Irwin sank a three-point shot from the baseline to open the fourth quarter, tying the game at 49-49 before the Trojans went on a 12-3 run to go back up by nine 61-52 with 5:19 remaining.  A 7-2 run by the Lions, closed the gap to four 63-59 with 3:27 left. VSU's lead would alternate between four and six points after a layup by the Lions with 00:44 seconds left again brining the Lions within four, 68-64.  This would be as close as Lincoln would get as the Trojans were a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line over the final 40 seconds to hang on for the five-point win.

UP NEXT
Virginia State will host the Lady Panthers of Virginia Union University for a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern division match-up on February 7 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.