ETTRICK, V.A. – Virginia State women's basketball earned their first win of the 2022-2023 regular season and the first win under the tutelage of Head Coach Nadine Domond after overcoming a seven point deficit in the first half against Lock Haven. The Trojans outscored the Bald Eagles 39-23 in the second half to take the victory 58-49 Sunday afternoon.


Shayla Sweeney led the game with 18 points in the contest, as she shot efficiently from the field hitting 3-of-4 of her shots while going 12-of-14 from the free throw line. She also tied for the lead on the team with seven rebounds and a pair of blocks. Sommer Blakemore (17) and Raija Todd (12) both finished in double figures as well. Blakemore also brought down seven rebounds and led the team with three steals shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free throw line. Todd brought down four rebounds and dished a team-high two assists in the win.


The Trojans saved their best for last as they shot 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 85% from the free throw line while forcing LHU to shoot 14% from the field and 11% from beyond the arc. The Trojans dominated the paint outscoring there opponents 20-10. VSU was able to force 19 turnovers which led to eight steals. They went 24-of-30 (80%) from the free throw line and blocked six shots in the contest.  

 
How It Happened
 

• The two teams started the game by trading baskets until LHU hit back-to-back three pointers to take a 15-9 lead with 1:44 left in the first quarter. The Trojans cut into the lead after Raija Todd and Sommer Blakemore both hit a pair of free throws to make the score 15-11 after the first quarter

 

• The Bald Eagles would open their lead to 10 after hitting a pair of three-pointers and a layup. Even though the Trojans would cut the lead down to just six, they allowed the Bald Eagles to take a seven-point lead into halftime with score at 26-19

 

• The start of the second half looked a lot like the end of the first as LHU maintained their lead 32-24 with 6:12 left in the third quarter. The Trojans then saw a slight burst of energy as they scored six points straight to bring the deficit to just three. Even though VSU was able to make it just a two-point game, the Bald Eagles scored four straight points to take a 39-33 leading into the final quarter of play.

 

• The Trojans came out firing in the fourth quarter as Sommer Blakemore earned back-to-back buckets and Raija Todd hit a three-pointer to give the Trojans the lead 40-39 with 8:18 left in the fourth quarter. Even though, LHU was able to cut the lead to just two and even one, the Trojans ended the game with a 7-0 run the take the victory 58-49.

 

Up Next
The VSU Women's Basketball team will have a fairly quick turnaround as they will rest up before facing Chowan in a midweek matchup on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Murfreesboro, NC.