CHARLOTTE, NC – Virginia State women's basketball team is back to their winning ways after outscoring JCSU 29-15 in the fourth quarter to lead them to an overtime victory 87-82. The win gives the Trojans their first road victory and ascends them back to the first spot in the CIAA with a 4-2 record.
The Trojans were led by a career-high 24 points and eight rebounds from
Shayla Sweeney. Sweeney got it done on both ends of the floor as she earned the only two blocks of the game.
Natalia Leaks showed why she is one of the conference's most prolific scorers as well scoring 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field along with nine rebounds. Leaks also added three assists and two steals as well.
Kaaliya Williams recorded her third-straight game where she finished in double figures with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Sommer Blakemore made an abundance of winning plays on the defensive end with a team-high three steals along with 15 points and four rebounds.
Valerie Samuel added 11 points with three assists. VSU continues to show up on the defensive end forcing 14 turnovers and eight steals in the contest. The Trojans also shot the ball well from the foul line sinking 77% of their shots.
How It Happened
- The start of the contest got off to an extremely hot start as both teams only missed eight shots total in the early parts of the first quarter with the score at 13-10 with 5:02 left in the first quarter.
- As a 9-0 run would put the Trojans in front by five, a 15-4 Golden Bull run would give the home team the lead 27-20 at the end of the first quarter of play.
- As the Trojans fought hard in the second quarter of play, they were only able to cut the JCSU lead to just seven points as the Golden Bulls took a 42-31 into half time.
- While JCSU held the lead at halftime, they were held to 40% from the field yet hit 5-of-11 of their three-pointers. The Trojans shot 46% from the field but just 33% from beyond the arc. 10 offensive rebounds from JCSU proved to hurt the Trojans, as they were only able to account for one. Shayla Sweeney ended her first half with 10 points along with four boards and two blocks. Valerie Samuel and Natalia Leaks combined for 13 points in the first half of play.
- At the start of the third quarter, the Golden Bulls picked up right from where they left off getting the lead up to as many as 16 points over the first five minutes. That being said the Trojans were able to cut the lead down to 51-40.
- The Trojans would continue to fight but JCSU continued to firmly keep control of the game with the score at 59-45 heading into the final quarter of play.
- With their backs against the wall, the Trojans came out aggressive in the final quarter going on a 9-2 run. While JCSU was able to keep the Trojans at arm's length, you could feel the momentum shifting in the building with the score at 69-60 with 4:55 left in the game.
- Six-straight points from Leaks, brought the Trojans to within two points with under three minutes left in the game. As the two traded baskets, a jumper from Sommer Blakemore brought the Trojans to within three. With :2 left in the game, Kaaliya Williams hit a heavily contested three-pointer from the top of the key to tie it up at 74 all at the end of regulation.
- The overtime period got started with two quick buckets from Samuel and Leaks, which put VSU up by four. While the Golden Bulls cut the lead to just three, the Trojans were able to sink 7-of-8 free throws in overtime, which proved to be detrimental to their success as they were able to steal the victory 87-82.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans were outscored in every quarter except the fourth and overtime
- VSU outscored the Golden Bulls 29-15 in the fourth quarter
- The Trojans made 7-of-8 of their free throws in the overtime period
- VSU shot 60% from three-point range in the first and fourth quarters combined
- The Trojans had five players end in double figures
VSU will be back in action this Saturday, January 15 to take part in the Freedom Classic against Virginia Union University. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
