ETTRICK, VA – Virginia State men's basketball team dropped the first of two matchups on the year against Virginia Union 88-70. The Trojans struggled offensively shooting 38% from the field, 35% from three-point range and 44% from the foul line. The loss drops the Trojans conference record down to 2-4 on the season.
Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald notched his seventh 20-point game this season as he scored 23 points on 5-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc with four rebounds.
Terrence Hunter-Whitfield scored 13 points with four rebounds and four assists in the contest.
Michael Melvin tied his season-high in assists with nine along with eight points.
Marquis Freeman earned his first career double digit game as a Trojan with 11 points knocking down 3-of-4 of his shots from three-point range. The Trojans were able to force 17 turnovers, which turned into 20 points. VSU was able to outrebound the Panthers on the offensive glass 15-11.
How It Happened
- Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald got the Trojans started behind two three-pointers early in the half. The Panthers were able to score four unanswered points to take a 14-10 lead into the first media timeout at 14:19.
- The Panthers were able to add to their scoring run to extend it to nine unanswered points to bring the score to 19-10.
- The Panthers were able to keep VSU at arm's length 32-19 with 8:18 left in the half.
- Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald put the team on his back late in the half scoring seven straight points to bring the Trojans to within seven points with 3:14 left to go.
- The Panthers were able to take a nine-point lead into the locker room at half time with the score at 40-31.
- Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald drained four three-pointers in the first half, which gave him a game-high 18 points with three rebounds. Michael Melvin also led the game with five assists in a half of play. The Trojans had issues shooting with efficiency in the first half shooting 31% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.
- The Panthers would open the second half with eight unanswered points. Terrence Hunter-Whitfield knocked down two three-pointers whileDaryl Mackey, Jr. . swung the momentum in favor of the Trojans after a put back dunk. VSU had cut the lead down to just six at 52-46 with 14:31 left to go in the second half.
- While a Fitzgerald three-pointer cut the VUU lead to just three points, the Panthers would make a 14-2 run to push the visitors lead to 66-51 with 7:56 left in the game.
- As the Trojans started to cool off the Panthers started to heat up as they held a 21-point lead 81-60 with under four minutes left in the game.
- In the end, the Trojans were no match for the Panthers as the visitors left with a win by a score of 88-70.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans were close to surpassing their season-high 24 assists with 22 in the game
- VSU attempted 34 three-pointers in the game which was a season-high for the team
- The Trojans struggled to get to the foul line shooting just nine free throws in the contest while VUU shot 19
Up Next
VSU will prepare for a midweek matchup against Shaw University this Wednesday, January 19. The contest will take place in the VSU Multipurpose center at 7:30 p.m. shortly after the women's game.
