| Virginia State (7-7) vs. Johnson C. Smith (5-5) |
| Date |
Monday, January 10, 2022 |
| Time |
5:30 p.m. |
| Live Stream |
Live Stream |
| Location |
Charlotte, NC (Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium) |
| Social Media |
@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 | @VSUTrojansWBB |
The VSU women's basketball team looks to get back on track after dropping their last two games. Livingstone got the best of the Trojans a day ago as VSU let the game slip away in overtime 65-56. The Trojans have not dropped back-to-back games since the commencement of the season in early November. The second loss in a row drops the Trojans to third in the conference as they maintain a 3-1 conference record. Coach James Hill Jr.'s squad ranks nationally in an abundance of categories such as: 24th in steals (145), 26th in steals per game (12), 13th in turnover margin (8.25), 8
th in forced turnovers (303) and 22th in points allowed per game (54). VSU is also second in the conference in opponents' points per game (56.9), second in the conference in free throw percentage (70.5%), first in turnover margin (7.36), first in assist/turnover ratio (0.85), first in assists (204) and first in steals (159).
Kaaliya Williams is currently ranked third in the conference in total points (173), third in free throw percentage (78%), first in rebounds (105), and 10th in steals (22).
Valerie Samuel leads the conference in assists (51) and holds the second spot in assist/turnover ratio (1.5). Samuel also ranks sixth in the conference in free throw percentage hitting 67% of her shots while accumulating 24 steals on the season, which ranks her fifth.
Natalia Leaks is currently third in the conference in field goal percentage (45%), fifth in points per contest (14.0), third in assists (37), sixth in steals (23) and sixth in assist/turnover ratio (1.1).
Sommer Blakemore ranks third in the conference in assists (38), second in steals (34) and first in minutes played with 459.
Last Time Out
- 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.
Scouting Golden Bulls
The Golden Bulls enter the matchup right at .500 with their 5-5 record but, have lost their last two games that just so happened to be the only two conference games they have played. The Golden Bulls have not played a game in the New Year as their last three matchups in January have been either postponed or canceled. JCSU leads the conference in three-point percentage knocking down 33% of their shots from long range. The squad also ranks third in field goal percentage averaging 40% over 10 games this season. Turnovers plague the Golden Bulls as they average 23 per game while averaging just 10 assists. On the defensive end, JCSU ranks near the bottom of the conference giving up 68 points per contest. While the Golden Bulls give up 23 turnovers per game they also forced 23 per game and turn them into 21 points each contest. Shaniya Jones leads her team with 12 points per game shooting 40% from downtown. Ciara Harris currently holds the third spot in the conference in three-point percentage (45%) while leading her team in free throw percentage (72%) and three-point attempts (42).
Series History
The Trojans are currently losing the series 6-15 as the Golden Bulls have won eight of the last nine matchups and are 3-8 against JCSU on the road. The latest matchup saw the Trojans lose 70-52 as 24 fouls led to 28 Golden Bull free throws.
A Win Would…
- Give the Trojans their first road victory
- Keep VSU from slipping to .500 in the conference
- Put an end to a three-game losing streak in the series
- Give VSU their first win of the New Year
