ETTRICK, VA – Virginia State women's basketball team fell to the Bulldogs in overtime, 63-57, late Thursday evening. After having the lead for three quarters, the Trojans were outscored, 29-16, in the fourth quarter and overtime combined. Despite VSU forcing 19 turnovers and going 18-of-22 from the foul line, they could not close the game out in the fourth quarter. The loss drops their conference record down to 5-4.
Natalia Leaks led the team in scoring yet again with a game-high 19 points. Leaks also posted a team-high eight rebounds and three assists while knocking down all eight of her free throws.
Kaaliya Williams was right behind Leaks with 18 points while sinking all six of her free throws and also hit 6-of-10 of her shots from the field.
Sommer Blakemore contributed nine points while bringing down six boards and hit two three-pointers in the contest. The Trojans had a rough night putting the ball in the basket shooting 31% from the field and 25% from downtown. On the bright side, VSU scored 16 second chance points and 19 point off turnovers.
How It Happened
- To start the game both sides traded baskets before VSU was able to go up, 11-8, thanks to four straight points from Natalia Leaks with 4:22 left in the first quarter.
- The Trojans scored eight unanswered points to make the score 15-8. VSU was able to take a 15-11 lead into the second quarter.
- Kaaliya Williams outscored the Bulldogs, 6-3, to start the second quarter which brought the score to 21-14 with 6:09 left in the half.
- Three-pointers from Natalia Leaks and Sommer Blakemore helped them extend their lead to double-digits for the first time in the game, 27-16. VSU would go on to take a, 27-18 into the locker room at halftime.
- Natalia Leaks (11) and Kaaliya Williams (10) combined for 21 first half points while Leaks also had six rebounds. The Trojans held the Bulldogs to under 30% from the field and under 15% from beyond the arc. The Trojans also did an exceptional jobs staying out of foul trouble only allowing the Bulldogs to shoot four free throws. Even though BSU was behind, they were never out of the game as they were able to outrebound the Trojans 23-19.
- While the Bulldogs were able to cut the lead down to five to start the half, the Trojans were able to push the lead back to double-digits at 35-24 with 4:59 left in the third quarter.
- As the Bulldogs went on a 5-2 run to end the third quarter, you could feel the momentum shifting in the building as the Trojans held a, 41-34, heading into the fourth quarter.
- Early in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs cut the VSU lead all the way down to just two points. With 5:03 left to go in the game, Natalia Leaks was able to push the lead back to, 44-41.
- As the two teams battled back-and-forth, the Bulldogs would hit two late free throws to tie the game at 49 to force an overtime period.
- The Bulldogs held the Trojans scoreless for the first three minutes of the overtime period. Bowie State scored six unanswered points to bring the score to, 58-53, with 1:38 left in the extra quarter. While four-straight points from Kaaliya Williams and Valerie Samuel brought the score to 60-57, the Bulldogs would go on to close out the game, 63-57.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans forced 19 turnovers
- VSU forced 10 fouls in the first half which led to 12 free throw attempts
- The Trojans grabbed 17 offensive boards and turned them into 16 points
- VSU shot a incredible 82% from the foul line
Up Next
The Trojans will potentially have their biggest test this Saturday, January 29 against Lincoln (Pa.) who currently has the best conference record in CIAA. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m. prior to the men's game.
