Virginia State (9-7) vs. Shaw (5-9)

 

Date	Wednesday, January 19, 2022
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 is fresh off one of the greatest come-from-behind victories in recent history coming back from a 21-point halftime deficit to outscore their rivals 38-14 in the second half to steal the win 62-59 against Virginia Union. The Trojans have won their last two matchups by less than two possessions as VSU occupies the third spot in the conference standings with their 5-2 conference record. Coach James Hill Jr.'s squad ranks nationally in an abundance of categories such as: 24th in steals (171), 20th in turnover margin (6.56) and 5th in forced turnovers (370). VSU is also second in the conference in opponents' points per game (58.6), first in the conference in free throw percentage (72%), first in turnover margin (6.76), first in assist/turnover ratio (0.88), first in assists (236), second in steals (175) and third in opponents' field goal percentage (37%). Kaaliya Williams is currently ranked fourth in the conference in free throw percentage (79%), first in rebounding (134), second in total points (224) and fifth in field goal percentage (42%). Valerie Samuel has led the conference in assists (66) for almost the entire season and also holds the second spot in assist/turnover ratio (1.7). Samuel also ranks sixth in the conference in free throw percentage hitting 67%. Natalia Leaks is currently third in the conference in field goal percentage (47%), sixth in points per contest (14.7), fourth in assists (40), sixth in rebounding (91), first in free throw percentage (95%) and fourth in steals (29). Sommer Blakemore ranks second in the conference in assists (43) and second in steals.
 


          Last Time Out

• Kaaliya Williams and Natalia Leaks combined for 34 points while the rest of the team scored 28 points. Williams posted her fifth double-double on the year with 18 points along with 10 rebounds. Leaks contributed 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field along with two steals as she scored double-digits for the fifth game straight.

 

• Shayla Sweeney scored in double figures the last three games as well as she finished with 12 points on 56% shooting from the field along with six boards in the contest.

 

• Valerie Samuel scored 11 points along with eight boards and a game-high six assists.

 

•  Sommer Blakemore went hard on the glass grabbing seven rebounds while scoring five points in the contest.

 

• The Trojans did not allow the Panthers to shoot not one free throw in the second half while the home squad shot 14.

 

• For the eighth time this season, VSU has shot 80% or more from the foul line as they cashed in on 16-of-20 free throws in the contest.

 
 


Scouting the Bears

Shaw enters the matchup 1-2 in the New Year as the Bears are coming off a tough four-point loss to Elizabeth City State 68-64. They look to even their conference record at 3-3 following the midweek matchup. Shaw had shown struggles performing on the road this season, as they are 1-3 away from Spaulding gym. The Bears are a decently efficient squad as a 40% field goal percentage ranks them third in the conference while a 70% free throw percentage ranks them second right behind the Trojans. Shaw makes a conscious effort to crash the offensive glass averaging 13 offensive rebounds per contest. The big setback on offense for Shaw is the turnover category as they average nearly 20 turnovers per game. The Bears attempt to let their offense cover up their defensive efforts as they give up 70 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 41% from the field. Makenzie Pollard is the leader of the squad as she ranks third in the conference in scoring with 207 points (14.8 ppg) so far this season. Pollard is also one of the most efficient players in the CIAA as a 47% shot percentage ranks her second. Nyrobi Pillers leads the team with 5.8 rebounds per game while also scoring nine points a game.

 
 
Series History


The Trojans are currently down in the series 8-10 against the Bears despite winning four of the last five matchups. VSU won the most recent matchup 66-59 as the Trojans rode out a 29-10 first quarter lead to a victory with VSU having four players finish in double figures.



 
        A Win Would…

•  Even the Trojans home record against the Bears at 5-5

  

• Give the squad 10 wins in the season

 

• Push their January record above .500 at  3-2

 

• Push their win streak to three games for the third time this season