Virginia State (4-5) vs. Wilmington (1-6)

 

Date	December 14, 2021
Time	5:30 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Ettrick, VA (VSU Multipurpose center)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 | @VSUTrojansWBB

 
 
The VSU women's basketball team prepares to avenge their most recent loss against #22 Shepherd 76-69, which put an end to a three-game win streak. Coach James Hill Jr.'s squad is currently tied for 16^th in the nation in steals (103), tied for eighth in forced turnovers (205) and 20^th in points allowed per game (53). Virginia State leads the conference in turnover margin (8.22) and assist/turnover ratio (0.89). The squad also leads the conference in free throw percentage (72%) as well. With four on the season, Kaaliya Williams is ranked nationally in double-doubles at 20^th and leads the conference in rebounds (81) and occupies the second spot in free throw percentage (84%). Valerie Samuel is now tied for first in the conference in assists (28) and is tied for second in assist/turnover ratio (1.3). Samuel also ranks third in the conference in free throw percentage hitting 70% of her free throws. Natalia Leaks ranks third in the conference in field goal percentage (41%) and fourth in points per contest (13.8).
 
 
Last Time Out

•  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.

 

•  Six 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.

 


Scouting the Wildcats

The Wildcats of Wilmington University (Del.) are a member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The Wildcats have not had the best of luck to this point in their season winning one of seven games on the season. WU is 0-2 against the CIAA this season with losses against Bowie State and Elizabeth City State while going 0-4 in road games. Offensively, the Wildcats are 39% from the field this season while hitting just 4-of-43 three-pointers. WU makes 67% of their shots from the foul line while shooting 13 per game. On the brighter side, WU averages 13 offensive rebounds per game, which leads to second chance points. Defensively, the Wildcats win the rebound battle by five averaging 42 defensive rebounds per game. The Wildcats use their length well averaging nearly four blocks per game. The center, Sabreen Muslim, will be the player to watch for the Wildcats as she leads her squad in points (13) and rebounds (9). Muslim has three double-doubles on the season with her best game of the season coming against Staten Island where she scored 24 points while shooting 68% from the field along with 11 boards.

 
 
Series History

The Trojans lead the series 2-0 beating them twice in the VSU Multipurpose center. VSU won the most recent matchup in 2016, 69-60 after Endia McKinney scored a game-high 18 points with a game-high eight rebounds while going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.

 
A Win Would…

•  Give the Trojans their fourth win in five games

  

• Push their record to .500 at 5-5

 

• Remain undefeated in the series record

 

• Push their home record above .500 at 4-3