ETTRICK, VA – After a valiant effort, the Virginia State University women's basketball team fell short to #22 Shepherd, 76-69, after an 8-0 run helped the visitors seal the deal Saturday afternoon.
Natalia Leaks had a team-high 22 points along with eight boards while going 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Sommer Blakemore posted a personal best seven assists while scoring 17 points with two steals. Kaaliyah Williams scored double-digits in six of the nine games this season, as she was able to score 12 points along with nine rebounds and three steals.
Shayla Sweeney and
J'Auana Robinson were productive off the bench yet again with 16 points combined as Sweeney also had seven rebounds as well. The conference leaders in turnover margin forced mistakes from their nationally ranked opponent, as they were responsible for 20 turnovers along with nine steals. 16 of the Trojans points came from turnovers while the home squad's bench outscored SU 16-5. The Trojans shot an efficient 85% from the foul line and scored 10 points in transition. SU's Abby Beeman scored a season-high 29 points with seven rebounds and eight assists while turning it over eight times as well in the contest.
How It Happened
- After five ties early in the first quarter, SU would go on their first run of the game scoring six unanswered points late in the first quarter, which allowed SU to win the first quarter 17-14. Natalia Leaks led the game scoring 10 of the team's 14 points at the conclusion of the first quarter.
- Early in the second quarter, the Rams stretched their lead out to eight points at 24-16. VSU would then score seven unanswered points to bring the score to 24-23 with 5:47 left in the half.
- While the Trojans would briefly gain the lead 28-27 at the 2:35 mark, Shepherd would go on a 6-0 run which allowed them to take a 32-30 lead into the locker room at the half.
- Natalia Leaks led the game with 12 first half points while shooting 50% from the field. Sommer Blakemore contributed eight points behind a 3-of-3 field goal percentage with two assists and a steal. The Trojans gained the slight edge in the offensive rebounding category with three to the Rams one. VSU was also in the passing lanes early with six steals and forced 13 turnovers in just a half of play, four of them being from the nation's assist leader, Abby Beeman.
- SU opened the second half with a 7-0 run which allowed them to bring the score to 42-36 with 7:04 left in the third quarter.
- The Trojans were able to bottle the momentum in the game behind a 9-2 run that gave the home tem the lead 45-44 with 3:09 left in the third quarter.
- While the Trojans were able to gain the lead, the Rams would not let them get comfortable, as SU would go on a 7-2 run to end the third quarter with the score at 51-47.
- Through the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, the closest the Trojans could cut the lead down to was two points as the Rams controlled the ball game 65-58 with 4:18 left in the game
- The Trojans made a late game push behind a 9-1 run to give them the lead 67-66 following a three-point shot from the right wing by Sommer Blakemore. The Trojans gained the lead with 1:11 in the ball game.
- After Natalia Leaks fouled Marley McLaughlin from beyond the three-point line, the Rams would close the game with a 8-0 run to make the score 76-69.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans were 100% from the foul line in the first and fourth quarters.
- Virginia State outrebounded the Rams on the offensive glass 10-5.
- VSU drew 19 personal fouls in the matchup and shot 20 free throws.
Up Next
Virginia State will be right back in the VSU Multipurpose center for their seventh-straight home game against the Wildcats of Wilmington University Tuesday, December 14. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
