WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Jan. 10, 2019)– The Virginia State University men's basketball team secured its third conference victory over Winston-Salem State University 81-70 tonight at the C.E. Gaines Center.    

Virginia State University senior Jalen Jackson led the way for the Trojans with a game-high 20 points and two rebounds. Andrew Corum added 13 points and three rebounds. VSU improves to 11-3 on the year (3-0 CIAA), while the Rams fall to 6-6 overall (1-3 CIAA).
 
KEY STATS

- VSU shot 50.9 percent from the field; Winston-Salem State shot 42.4 percent
- Virginia hit eight triples (32 percent); Winston-Salem State knocked down five threes on 27.8 percent shooting
- The Trojans were 15-for-19 at the free throw line while the Rams were 15-for-29
- VSU held a 36-35 rebounding advantage; the Rams had 16 turnovers to VSU's 11

KEY TROJANS

- Jalen Jackson had 20 points and two rebounds 
- Jalen Jackson was perfect from the free throw line (2-for-2)
- Andrew Corum contributed 13 points and 17 rebounds
-Cyonte Melvin contributed 11 points and one rebound
- Jahmere Howze contributed 10 points and four rebounds 

KEY RAMS 

- Robert Colon led the Rams with 22 and four rebounds 
-William Crandell contributed 11 points and seven rebounds 
- Julius Barnes contributed 10 points and three rebounds 
 
The first half was a competitive one as both teams had some strong scoring runs. Both teams jumped out with some great scoring runs. After playing to a 7-6 advantage to the Trojans with just over 15 minutes left in the first half, but the Trojans broke out soon when they scored points to go ahead, 15-13 after a Wiggins layup with 11:10 left in the first half. Both team went back and forth tying the game five times over the next eight minutes. The Trojans allowed the Rams to rally back and claim the lead, 33-32 with 00:39 left in the first half with a Colon lay-up. The Rams took a 36-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The second half was a much different story as the Trojans pulled away with a big offensive effort. The Trojans scored 48 second half points. After tying the game for the sixth time with a Jackson three pointer five minutes into the second half, the Trojans allowed the Rams their last lead of the game with two free throws with 13:27 left to play. From there, the Trojans never looked back. The team went on a 6-0 run that was capped by another Wiggins layup with 10:36 left to play that gave the Trojans a 59-53 lead. The Trojans created a cushion and continued to keep up the pressure on their opponents as a Holley three pointer with 6:54 left to play gave the Trojans a 71-56 lead. The effort left the Trojans in a comfortable lead and the team pulled away to claim the 81-70 win.
 

UP NEXT

The Trojans will travel to Salisbury, NC to face the Blue Bears of Livingstone College on Saturday, January 12^th. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 p.m.

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