ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State men's basketball team earned their second win in a row against Bowie State, 70-67. The Trojans shot the ball beautifully again as the squad posted a 54% field goal percentage and a 43% three-point percentage. With the win, the Trojans improve their conference to 4-5.
After missing two games, Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald lit A.C. Jordan Arena on fire hitting 5-of-10 three-pointers, which allowed him the finish with 21 points while bringing down five rebounds. Antwan Miles looked to be back to himself scoring a season-high 21 points along with his counterpart Fitzgerald. Miles was deadly accurate from the field knocking down 8-of-12 of his shots from the field. Terrence Hunter-Whitfield led the team with six rebounds and three steals along with 10 points. Michael Melvin stuffed his stat sheet with six points, four rebounds and five assists. The Trojans had eight different player score a bucket in the contest.
How It Happened
- Points were extremely hard to come by early on in the game for the Trojans as the Bulldogs held a 8-2 lead with 14:15 left in the first half.
- The Trojans brought the score to two points thanks to jump shot from Hunter-Whitfield, 11-9, with 10:41 left in the half.
- Virginia State would continue to flirt with the lead throughout the half as the Bulldogs held on to the lead, 19-18, with 5:24 to go.
- Daryl Mackey, Jr. scored four consecutive points to end the half which, allowed to Trojans to cut the lead back to one point at, 25-24, heading into the half.
- Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald (5) and Terrence Hunter-Whitfield (6) combined for 11 first half points while Hunter-Whitfield grabbed a game-high five rebounds. The Trojans held the Bulldogs to under 35% from the field and under 15% from beyond the arc. VSU shot just one free throw in the first half while allowing the Bulldogs to shoot eight by way of six fouls.
- At the 15:27 mark, the Trojans took their first lead of the game thanks to a three-pointer from Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald. VSU went ahead 33-30 a quarter of the way through the second half.
- The Bulldogs were able to battle with the Trojans to knot the game at 45 with 8:05 left in the contest.
- BSU gained control of the game again with 6:55 left to go yet; the Trojans would take the lead back following a block by Dajour Rucker that led to two points for Fitzgerald. Following the fast break bucket, the Trojans held a slim, 59-57, lead with 3:56 left in the game.
- Virginia State went on the largest run of the game scoring eight unanswered points to go up by eight with :32 left to go. While the Bulldogs gave themselves a chance by bringing the Trojan lead to just three points, Antwan Miles was able to hit two clutch free throws to push the lead to five points. The Trojans would go on to hold on to a three-point lead to give them their second victory in a row 70-67.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans went 4-of-8 from downtown in the second half.
- VSU accounted for 16 assists while BSU only earned three.
- The Trojans forced 15 turnovers and racked up six steals.
Up Next
The Trojans will have a quick turnaround as the squad will prepare to host Lincoln (Pa.) who is currently tied for first in the CIAA. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. following the women's game.
