ORANGEBURG, S.C. (January 16, 2019)– The Virginia State University women's basketball team (8-7, 2-4 CIAA) suffered a tough 59-33 loss to the Lady Panthers of Claflin University tonight. 
 
Claflin opened the contest outscoring the Trojans 13-4 after one quarter. Claflin continued to put points on the board outscoring the Trojans in the second, 19-7, as Virginia State trailed 32-11 at the half. The Lady Panthers secured a 41-23 advantage after three periods and rolled to a 59-33 victory over Virginia State. The Trojans was led by junior forward Ebony Reynolds recording a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 
 
Reynolds scored 10 points in 22 minutes of play. The Fieldale, Virginia native was perfect from the  from the free throw line (2-for-2) and from the three point line (2-for-2). Yazmen Hannah recorded nine points and four rebounds.

Ashley Fields led the Lady Panthers in double figures with contributing 17 total points.
 
How It Happened
Claflin opened the contest outscoring the Trojans 13-4 after one quarter. Claflin continued to put points on the board outscoring the Trojans in the second, 19-7, as Virginia State trailed 59-33 at the half.
 
Ebony Reynolds secured the opening basket to start the third quarter to bring the score 35-16. Shayln Washington added a basket to cut the Lady Panthers lead making the score 39-20 with 3:27 left in the quarter. Virginia State then added baskets to cut CU's lead 41-23 with just 00:17 seconds to play to end the period.  
 
Claflin continued to put up points over the remaining minutes to close out the game giving them a 59-33 victory. Yazmen Hannah collected a layup with 4:08 left in the contest to close out the scoring for the Trojans.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Virginia  State was 12-of-44 (27.3 percent) shooting and six-of-10 (60 percent) from the charity stripe
> Claflin University shot 32.8 percent (22-of-67) from the floor and 57.1 percent (eight-of-14) from the free-throw line
> Virginia State finished with five points off CU turnovers and eight second-chance points
> CU tallied 23 points off VSU turnovers and 12 second-chance points
 
Up Next
The Trojans will return home as they host the Panthers of Virginia Union University on Saturday, January 19^th. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 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.