INDIANA, PA (March 16, 2019)- The Virginia State University Trojans men's basketball team held off the Notre Dame College Falcons, 89-81, to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA DII Atlantic Region Championship. This is the second consecutive year the team has advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals.  

THE BASICS
EVENT| 2019 NCAA DII Atlantic Region Championship
DATES| March 16-17 & 19, 2019
LOCATION| Kovalchick Complex
HOST| Indiana University of Pennsylvania
MATCHUP| No.3 Virginia State vs. No.6 Notre Dame (Ohio)
SCORE| VSU 89 – NDC 81
 
Click HERE for the post game press conference
 
FIRST HALF
The Trojans had a slow start to the opening half of the game with an injury to Cyonte Melvin less than 2 minutes into the contest. Despite NDC going on a 12-0 run over VSU, Melvin returned to the court giving VSU their first points of the game. "The game is not over," stated Melvin. "We needed a lot of energy to beat their energy."

Rookie Antwan Miles got a piece of the action by driving to the basket for 2. At the second timeout of the first half, the Trojans were down by 11 point with a score of 16-5. Melvin continued to power through the Falcons to grasp additional shots for VSU. The Trojans regain their footing with 7:15 on the clock to close the scoring gap 20-17.

Jalen Jackson moved the Trojans over the Falcons with a shot from behind the arc for a 23-22 VSU lead. At the final media timeout of the half, the Trojans were up 25-24. Brandon Holley turned his game on in the final minutes of the half with consecutive 3-point shots.

At halftime, VSU had a 35-30 lead over the NDC Falcons. Holley controlled the court in the half with 9 points, followed by Andrew Corum with 8. Melvin controlled the board with 6 rebounds.

SECOND HALF
Although the Falcons went on a 7-0 run to jumpstart the second half, shots from behind the arc by Cedric Wiggins and Jalen Jackson tied the game 40-all.

At the first charged timeout of the second half, the Trojans held strong to the 48-42 lead.

NDC turned up their defense, but the Trojans continued to control the game at their own pace. With 11:53 remaining in regulation, VSU held a 52-45 lead.

The wisdom head coach Lonnie Blow gave the team during the second media timeout of the half, added fuel to the Trojans game as they extended the lead to as much as 21 points.

As the clock ran down, the Falcons attempt to shoot 3-pointers to take the lead failed as the Trojans were in place to collect the much needed rebounds.

The scoring gap dropped to single digits with under a minute left in regulation. VSU maintained their lead as they secured additional shots at the line.

The final score ruled in favor of the No. 3 Virginia State University Trojans, 89-81!

Despite NDC outscored VSU at the line (94.4% to 76.7%), the Trojans showed strength in field goals (49.1% to 42%) and 3-point shots (50% to 27.4%). VSU's depth allowed them to gain over half of their points (46) from the bench.

"We have a lot of balance on our team and have guys who can come in and do the job," said Coach Blow.

TROJAN LEADERS
VSU had six Trojans to score in the double digits. Controlling the court for the Trojans in scoring was Brandon Holley with 18 points. Cyonte Melvin and Armond Griebe each collected 14 points, while Jalen Jackson and Jahmere Howze were not too far behind with 13 and 11 points respectively. Collecting his third double-double of the season was Andrew Corum with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

UP NEXT
VSU will take on the No. 2 West Liberty University on Sunday, March 17 at 5pm at the Kovalchick Complex in Indiana, PA.

STAY CONNECTED
For more information on the VSU men's basketball team, visit govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.