Box Score ETTRICK, VA – Virginia State men's basketball team came out on the losing end of a hard fought battle against Lincoln (Pa.), 65-56, as the Trojans allowed LU to pull away in the end. While the Trojans had a tough time knocking down three-pointers going just 1-of-21, they were able to outrebound the Lions 43-40. The loss drops the Trojans conference record down to 4-6.

 

Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald recorded his 13^th double-digit scoring game in the season as he posted 16 points with eight rebounds and season-high three blocks. Fitzgerald also knocked down all six of his free throws in the contest. Terrence Hunter-Whitfield grabbed a miraculous season-high 15 boards in the game while accounting for 14 points on evening. Antwan Miles has found his grove this season posting his third-straight game with double-digits in scoring while shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field. Miles finished with 14 points along with four rebounds in the contest. Michael Melvin posted nine assists for the fourth time this season along with four rebounds and four points. Dajour Rucker added seven points and five rebounds in the contest. The Trojans shot 71% from the foul line in the game while scoring 28 of their points in the paint.  
 


How It Happened

• The Trojans got off to their coldest start of the season as they allowed the Lions to go ahead 14-1 in the first half with 11:35 to go.

 

• The Trojans would finally wake up halfway through the first half going on a 8-2 run to bring the score to 16-9. After the Lions would stretch their lead back out to double-digits, VSU would mount an 11-2 run thanks to four points from Fitzgerald and Hunter-Whitfield. The scoring run would bring the Lion lead to just 21-20 with 4:15 left to go in the half.

 

• The two squads would battle back-and-fourth throughout the half, as the Lions would gain a little breathing room, 28-24, to put an end to the first half.

 
 

• In one half of play, Terrence Hunter-Whitfield (8) and Antwan Miles (7) combined for 15 points in the contest. Hunter-Whitfield account for eight first half rebounds while Miles shot 3-of-5 from the field. Fitzgerald ended his first half with four points, three blocks and three boards. Melvin led the game with five assists in just a half of play.The Trojans forced 11 first half turnovers while drawing 10 fouls. The Lions shot only two free throws compared to VSU's 12.

 
 

• The Lions came roaring out of the half time break, scoring seven unanswered points to push their lead back to 10 points. While four-straight points from Fitzgerald helped VSU cut the deficit to five points, the Lions were able to keep the Trojans at arm's length with their, 45-37, lead with 13:48 to go in the first half.

 

• The Trojans made another push for the lead halfway through the second half scoring six unanswered points to bring the Lion lead to just two points. The Trojans cut the lead down to one possession twice as the Lions held on to a, 54-51, lead with 4:53 left to go in the game.

 

• An and-on play for Fitzgerald cut the deficit to two points yet again with 2:30 left in the game.

 

• After the Lions assumed a seven-point lead with :42 seconds left in the game, the Trojans were forced to foul late in the game. Lincoln (Pa.) went 6-of-6 from the free throw line with under a minute to go in the game, which produced the final score of, 65-56.

 
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Trojans knocked down 11-of-12 free throws in the second half.

 

• Hunter-Whitfield recorded the most rebounds in a single game this season with 15

 

• 15 offensive rebounds led to 10 second chance points

 

• The Trojans forced 17 turnovers in the contest

 
 
Up Next

 The Trojans will head down the road to Richmond for a date with the Panthers of Virginia Union on Saturday, February 5. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.