Box Score WEST CHESTER, PA. – Virginia State men's basketball suffers their first loss of the season to West Chester (Pa.) 85-78 after shooting 59% from the free throw line. The Trojans were unfortunately on the wrong end of a competitive game that saw eight lead changes and three ties.
 
Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald led the team with 15 points while also leading with five rebounds and three assists. Terrence Hunter-Whitfield was held to 12 points along with a team leading three steals. Tremere Brown shot 5-of-7 from the field which lead to 12 points and three rebounds. Both point guards in Zach Newkirk and Tim Montgomery score 10 points in the contest as both ended with three assists each. Montgomery shot 50% from the field and led the team with three steals. Newkirk shot 40% from the field and grabbed three boards in contest.

The Trojans bench production continues to be on display after they scored 34 points off the bench. While VSU shot just 20% from beyond the arc, they shot 44% from the field. The Trojans allowed 14 second chance points but forced 28 fouls and shot a total of 34 free throws.
 
How It Happened
 

• The matchup started with the Golden Rams taking the early lead 13-8 with 15:49 left to go in the first half as James Love, III. kept the Trojans close with back-to-back midrange jumpers.

 

• Chris Hampton was able to bring the Trojans to within three points after splitting a pair of free throws. With 9:58 left to go, the Trojans were able to tie the ball game at 19 after draining four straight off free throws.

 

• WCU would answer by going on a 7-0 run to bring the score to 28-21. The Trojans were able to cut into the lead to decrease their deficit to just two at 28-26 with 6:03 left in the half.  

 

• The Golden Rams would go on to stretch their lead to double digits after scoring six straight points. The Golden Rams were able to take a 42-34 lead into the halftime break.

 

• Following a three-pointer from Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald, the Trojans pulled to within four but WCU would go on a 9-3 run to take a 53-42 lead. The biggest turning point in the game for the Trojans was an 11-0 run which left the squad up by three points at 59-56 with 10:21 left to go in the game.  

 

• Three lead changes later, the two teams found themselves with a tie at 68. The Golden Rams answered with a quick 8-0 run to take a 78-70 lead with 2:55 left in the contest.  

 

• As Tremere Brown brought the Trojans to within five with :46 it proved to be too little too late for the Trojans as the Golden Ram took the victory 85-78. 

 
 
 
Up Next
After having a weekend off, the Trojans will have a chance to redeem themselves at home against Bluefield State on Tuesday, November 22 at 6:00 p.m.