ETTRICK, V.A. – Virginia State men's basketball team exits the Trojan Tip-Off Classic undefeated after taking down Shippensburg University 85-75 Saturday evening.
 
Francis Fitzgerald recorded his first 20-point game of the season as he led the game with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field while Jonathan Norfleet scored 16, Antwan Miles scored 14 and Jordan Hernandez scored 13.  Fitzgerald also led his squad in rebounds with nine while Antwan Miles and Terrence Hunter-Whitfield had seven each. Michael Melvin had a game-high six assists while Norfleet ended with five.   
 
The Trojans dominated the glass outrebounding the Raiders 45-31 while accounting for 17 second chance points. VSU shot an efficient 50% from the field while knocking down 6-of-16 three-pointers.

 
How It Happened
 

• A quarter of the way through the first half, the VSU lead got up to eight thanks to six early buckets for Francis Fitzgerald. The Trojans were ahead 15-7 with 15:43 left in the first half.

 

• Midway through the first half, the Trojans gained momentum behind a Jordan Hernandez dunk to push the Virginia State lead to 27-13 with 10:22 to left to go.

 

• Down but far from out, SU went on a 9-0 run that brought the score to 38-33.

 

• The Trojans took a 44-35 lead into the locker room at half time.   

 

• Heading into the break, Francis Fitzgerald had 12 along with five rebounds and a 60% three-point percentage. Jordan Hernandez took nine points into the locker room while Antwan Miles had eight while the team only turned the ball over twice in the first half of play.

 

• In the start of the second half, the Raiders came out swinging thanks to a 10-0 run to bring the VSU lead to just two points at 48-46.

 

• Feeling the momentum swinging to Shippensburg, the Trojans went on a 7-0 run to push the VSU lead to 59-53 with 10:53 left in the second half.

 

• Jordan Hernandez and Francis Fitzgerald had four apiece as the Trojans pushed their lead out to 11 points at 70-59.

 

• While the Raiders made a late game push bringing the score to 76-71 with 1:25 left in the game. The Trojans held out to end the game with the final score at 85-75.

 
Inside the Box Score
 

• Four of the five VSU starters finished in double figures.

 

•  VSU shot 50% from the field.

 

• Virginia State held the Raiders to 20% from beyond the arc in the second half.

 

• The Trojans brought down 45 boards while scoring 17 points off second chance opportunities.

 
Up Next
 
Virginia State will hit the road for the first time in the regular season to compete in the Mt.Olive Pickle Classic on the campus of University of Mount Olive. The Trojans will take on UMO Friday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.