WINSTON SALEM, NC. – Virginia State women's basketball team dropped their first game of 2022 to Winston-Salem State 81-58 which, caused VSU to fall to 3-1 in the conference. This was the first loss the Trojans have taken in the last four games.
Natalia Leaks scored a team-high 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field along with a steal.
Kaaliya Williams was right behind Leaks with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting while grabbing six boards and a steal.
Valerie Samuel posted a career-high nine assists along with four points. The Trojans were able to draw 24 fouls which led to 24 free throws. VSU was also able to force 16 turnovers, which turned into 16 points in the evening contest.
How It Happened
- The Rams got off to speedy start scoring seven unanswered points early in the first quarter. The Trojans would answer back with seven unanswered points of their own to knot the score at seven with 6:20 in the first quarter.
- WSSU ended the first quarter with a 10-0 run which, brought the score to 22-9 with the Rams in the lead.
- The Rams controlled the start of the second quarter behind a couple of Trojan turnovers that helped them bring the score to 30-16 with 5:08 left in the second quarter.
- WSSU would go on to extend their lead to 18 points heading into locker room at halftime with the score at 42-24.
- Valerie Samuel posted five assists with four points in the first half while Kylah Webb led the team with five rebounds. The Trojans shot 32% from the field and 29% from three while hitting 67% from the free throw.
- The Trojans attempted to get back in the game with a 8-0 run to cut the WSSU lead to just 13 at 48-35 with 5:56 left in the third quarter.
- The two teams would trade baskets throughout the rest of the third quarter until the home team scored five unanswered points to bring the score to 63-44 heading into the final quarter of play.
- After the Trojans were able to cut the lead to 14, the Rams went on a 12-4 run to bring the score to 75-53 with 5:45 left in the game.
- The Rams would keep the Trojans at arm's length throughout the remainder of the game to give us the final score of 81-58.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans shot 50% from the three-point line in the first and fourth quarters.
- Virginia State drew 24 fouls in the contest.
Up Next
Virginia State will be right back in North Carolina to take on Livingstone College in a doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m on Saturday, January 8.
