SALISBURY, NC – Virginia State women's basketball team dropped their second game in a row to Livingstone College in overtime 65-56 which, makes VSU to fall to 3-2 in the conference. Poor shooting from long range and turnovers plagued the Trojans in the afternoon contest.
 
The Trojans had four players finish in double figures in Kaaliya Williams (16), Sommer Blakemore (12), Natalia Leaks (12) and Shayla Sweeney (12). Natalia Leaks posted her second double-double of the season with 13 rebounds and three steals. Blakemore and Williams each had five rebounds and combined for three steals in the contest. The Trojans forced 25 turnovers turning them into 14 points on the offensive end. The squad drew 21 fouls and shot 16 free throws. The Blue Bears were held to just 34% from the field in the game.
 
 
How It Happened

• Kaaliya Williams scored six of the Trojans first 11 points taking an 11-6 lead into the first media timeout at 5:18.

 

• LC would then hold the Trojans scoreless through the final five minutes of the quarter while scoring 10 points unanswered to bring the score to 18-11 at the end of the first quarter.

 

• The Blue Bears were able to extend their lead to seven with the score at 22-15 with 4:49 left to go in the half.

 

• Virginia State would continue to fight to stay within striking distance heading into the locker room at halftime with the score at 30-24.

 

• While VSU scored the first six points of the half to tie the game at 30, LC forced two big turnovers, which allowed them to take a slim two-point lead into the first media timeout with the score at 34-32 with 4:55 to go in the third quarter.

 

• The last five minutes of the third quarter saw five ties as the two teams were deadlocked at 43 heading into the fourth quarter of play.

 

• The first five minutes of the fourth quarter saw great defensive possessions from both teams with the score 47-47 with 4:59 left in the fourth quarter.

 

• Sommer Blakemore scored four points through the last five minutes of the game as she drove to the basket for a pair with: 4 left in the game to tie the game at 50.

 

• After the Trojans locked up on defense as time expired, the game would be extended an extra five minutes, as the two would take it to overtime.

 

• LC scored seven unanswered points through the majority of the overtime period with the score at 59-52 as time ticked to under two minutes.

 

• While the Trojans were able to cut the lead to just three points, LC went on a 6-0 scoring run to end the game with the score at 65-56.

 
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Trojans scored 30 of their 56 points in the paint

 

• VSU forced 24 turnovers in the game

 

• The contest saw seven lead changes and 12 ties in its entirety.  

 

•    Due to great close outs by the Trojans, the Blue Bears were held to just 25% from beyond the arc.

 

• VSU had four players finish in double figures

 
 
Up Next
 Virginia State will wrap of their North Carolina road trip Monday, January 10 at Johnson C. Smith University. The women's team will lead off the doubleheader at 5:30 p.m.