Virginia State (6-9) vs. Bowie State (6-12)

 

Date	Thursday, January 27, 2022
Time	7:30 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Bowie, MD (A.C. Jordan Arena)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882

 
 
The VSU men's basketball team prepares to build on the momentum they found their last time out against JCSU, defeating the Golden Bulls 68-67. Coach Lonnie Blow's squad currently ranks third in the conference in points per contest (74), second in assists per game (14.27), first in assist/turnover ratio (1.03), fourth in offensive rebounds per game (11.7)/rebounding margin (2.0) and first in three-pointers made per game (7.3). While the Trojans are still missing their leading scorer in Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald, they have the former Food Lion CIAA Rookie of the Week, Dajour Rucker, the seven-footer, James Love, III, and veteran guard Antwan Miles all back in the lineup. Terrence Hunter-Whitfield is expected to continue to fill the void of Fitzgerald as 14.3 points per game ranks him 10^th in the conference. While taking over primary scoring duties, Hunter-Whitfield is also expected to keep crashing the glass as 6.5 boards per game ranks him ninth in the conference. One of the reasons Hunter-Whitfield is so effective offensively is because he uses his broad shoulders to draw fouls and knock down free throws as he ranks eighth in the conference shooting 75% from the foul line.  


 
Last Time Out

•  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.

Scouting Bulldogs
 
While Bowie State is indeed coming off a, 73-62, loss to Shaw their last time out, the Bulldogs are on a bit of an upswing. Prior to the loss to Shaw, BSU took down Virginia Union who is currently tied for second in the conference. The Bulldogs do most of their damage inside of A.C. Jordan Arena, as they are 4-3 at home this season. The Bulldogs make their presence felt on offense averaging 71 points per game. The squad shoots an efficient 44% from the field while knocking down 33% of their three-pointers. The Bulldogs ae certainly not the team you want to put at the charity stripe as they cash in 75% of their shots. The Bulldogs score their points mostly by way of the three-point shot as they lead the conference in attempts (362) and are tie for second in made baskets as well (117). BSU has trouble defending the basket as they give up 77 points per contest. The Bulldogs allow their opponents to knock down 37% of their shots from downtown while allowing 16 free throws per game. While they may have only accounted for six steals per game, their rim protectors make up for it as the team averages four blocks per game which lands them second in the conference. David McCullough is Mr. Everything for his team as he leads the squad in points (206), rebounds (70) and steals (15). McCullough does not compromise his shot selection just because he is the teams' number one offensive weapon as he shoots 58% from the field.
 
 

Series History

The Trojans are currently losing the series 11-12 yet, they have won four of the last five matchups. VSU is confident heading into the contest as they are 7-4 on the road against BSU. The last matchup saw VSU take the victory 89-66 as Antwan Miles and Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald combined for 30 points. Fitzgerald added a game-high nine rebounds while Miles went 5-of-7 from the field.
 

 
A Win Would…

•  Allow the Trojans to tie the series at 12  

 

• Allow VSU to even their January record to 3-3

 

• Give the Trojans their first divisional win