BOWIE, MD (February 1, 2020) - The Virginia State University men's basketball team fell to the Bulldogs of Bowie State University in an double overtime road battle with a final score of 86-81.
The CIAA divisional game moved the Trojans to a 15-7 overall record, 9-2 in the CIAA and 2-2 in the division.

The Game
Despite Walter Williams and Lual Daniel Rahama giving the Trojans an early 4-0 lead to start the game, the Bulldogs jumped ahead with the home court advantage. VSU battled back to close the scoring gap, with Williams securing a shot from behind the arc to take a 15-14 lead. Although BSU regained the lead, the Trojans kept the scoring gap close, going into halftime with a score of 33-31.
The teams seemed equally matched in the second half as the score remained close in favor of the Bulldogs. William Vedder and Rahama kept the Trojans in the game by tying the score multiple time. The Trojans slight 31-29 scoring edge over the Bulldogs tied the game 62-all at the end of regulation.
Going shot for shot in overtime, the Trojans battled to maintain their lead. Despite the Bulldogs going to the line to tie the game and eventually take the lead, Rahama secured a 3-pointer, giving VSU a 72-70 advantage. The Bulldogs answered back with a jumper the tie the score, sending the game into double overtime.
Unfortunately, the Trojans late efforts during the second overtime in conjunction with the Bulldogs early 10-0 run, caused VSU to fall, 86-81, in double overtime to BSU.

Leaders
William Vedder controlled the game with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for the Trojans were Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald with 17 points, Lual Daniel Rahama with 15 points and Ryan Jones with 10 points.

Up Next
The VSU men's basketball team will travel to Orangeburg, SC to take on the Panthers of Claflin University in a non-conference matchup on February 5. Tipoff is set for 7:30pm.

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