CHARLOTTE, NC – Virginia State men's basketball team was able to outscore the Golden Bulls, 39-29, in the second half to steal the victory 68-67 Monday night.
Antwan Miles,
James Love, III and
Dajour Rucker made their return in the matchup and made their presence felt combining for 22 points in the contest. The win moves the Trojans conference record up to 3-5 on the season.
Fresh off a bad game shooting against Shaw,
Terrence Hunter-Whitfield went 4-of-7 from the three-point line and 5-of-9 from the field. Hunter-Whitfield led the team with 16 points and seven rebounds along with two assists and a pair of steals. After a shaky start,
Antwan Miles played very efficient basketball in his first game back shooting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, which led to 14 points with two assists and a steal.
Michael Melvin led the team with four assists along with 12 points in the contest. For the first time in the New Year, the Trojans were able to shoot over 50% from the field in the game as the team made 53% of their shots. The Trojans also shot the lights out from deep posting a 46% shot percentage from downtown. For the first time this season, the Trojans held themselves to under 10 turnovers as they only gave the ball away eight times in the contest.
How It Happened
- The game started with a back-and-forth affair as the first five minutes saw five ties. With 13:12 left to go in the first half, the score was locked at 12.
- Eventually, the Golden Bulls would go on the first run of the game scoring eight unanswered points. Thanks to back-to-back three's from Kylon Lewis and Michael Melvin, the Trojans brought the score to just two points at 20-18 with 7:43 left in the half.
- The Golden Bulls responded with back-to-back three ball's of their own which helped them push their lead back out to 38-29 heading into the locker room at the half.
- In one half of play, Michael Melvin led the squad with eight points and two assists while shooting 2-of-2 from long range. Terrence Hunter-Whitfield ended his half with five points along with a team-high four rebounds. Kylon Lewis also contributed five points and two rebounds while shooting 2-of-3 from the field while Daryl Mackey, Jr. shot 2-of-4 from the field which led to four first half points. The Trojans had one of their most efficient halves of play this season shooting 50% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc. VSU also did an exceptional job on the glass outrebounding the Golden Bulls 14-11.
- James Love, III and Antwan Miles combined for eight points to start the quarter as the tandem brought the Trojans to within five points at 42-37 with 15:12 left in the second half.
- With 10:56 to go in the second half, the Trojans started to make a push for the lead as Kylon Lewis hit a layup on a fast break to put VSU up one point, 54-53, with 8:57 left to go in the game.
- Five lead changes later, the Golden Bulls tried to gain control of the game, 63-62, with 4:49 left in the contest.
- The Golden Bulls had :11 to get a good look at the rim but the Trojans stout defense made that hard for them. The Trojans were able to hold on to the lead 68-67 for the win.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans shot 53% from the field and 46% from three-point range.
- VSU outrebounded the Golden Bulls 31-24
- The game saw six ties and 10 lead changes
- Antwan Miles scored 14 points in his first game back since January 8.
Up Next
VSU will have a few days off before traveling up to Bowie State University on Thursday, January 27 to take on the Bulldogs. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
