Virginia State (8-13) at Elizabeth City State (12-11)

 

Date	February 12, 2022
Time	4:00 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Ettrick, VA  (VSU Multipurpose center)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882

 
 
The VSU men's basketball team prepares for their second matchup against their divisional opponent in Elizabeth City State, after coming off an emotional victory against Shaw, 74-72. The win improves their conference record to 5-8. The squad will have just three more opportunities to even their conference record at 8-8. Coach Lonnie Blow's squad currently ranks second in the conference in three-pointers made per game (6.9), second in assists per game (13.62) and second in assist/turnover ratio (0.92). Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald  is one of the CIAA's most skilled scorer's as 17.5 points per contest ranks him fourth in the conference. Fitzgerald also ranks sixth in field goal percentage (46%), third in free throw percentage (79%) and eight in made three-pointers per game (2.1). Terrence Hunter-Whitfield is recognized as one of the greatest second options a team could offer scoring 14.1 points per game, which ranks him eighth in the conference. In the first two games of the New Year, Hunter Whitfield scored a total of 59 points. He is also deadly from the foul line knocking down 75.8% of his free throws, which ranks him sixth in the conference. He also gets it done on the boards as well averaging 7.1 rebounds per game, which ranks him seventh in the conference. Michael Melvin is currently the conference leader in assists per contest (5.4) and second in assist/turnover ratio (1.7).



 
Last Time Out

• Michael Melvin was the most efficient player on the court tonight as an 8-of-10 shooting night led him to a season-high 24 points. 

 

•   Fitzgerald also added seven rebounds and two blocks. Mackey, Jr. grabbed four rebounds, dished out three dimes and hit 2-of-3 of his shots from beyond the arc, one of them being the go-ahead bucket that ultimately won the Trojans the game. 

 

•     Terrence Hunter-Whitfield scored nine points with five rebounds and a season/team-high six steals in the contest. 

 

• The margin for era in this game was small as the Trojans were able to edge the Bears in rebounds 38-37 and fouls 19-17.

Scouting the Vikings

The Vikings currently stand tall at 12-11 overall and 5-8 in conference play. The Vikings have only won one of their last four contests, with that one win coming against the Trojans. The Vikings pride themselves on the defensive end allowing just 65.2 points per contest. ECSU forces opponents to shoot just 42.8% from the field while grabbing 746 rebounds in the season. The Vikings currently ranks first in the conference in steals (188) and second turnover margin (1.55). ECSU scores 65.5 points per game but shoot just 43.7% from the field. Zaccheus Hobbs is Mr. Everything for his team as 1.9 steals per game ties him first in the conference with his teammate Shykeef Daniels. Hobbs leads his team in points per game (13.9), three-pointers made (34), assists (37) and shot attempts per contest (202). Shykeef Daniels leads the conference in steals (39) and leads the team in rebounds (130).

 


Series History

The Trojans are 19-7 against the Vikings in matchups dating back to 2009. The Vikings put an end to a 10-game win streak held by the Trojans. In the previous matchup this season, the Trojans lost 64-62 in double overtime. VSU forced 17 turnovers but shot only 19% from beyond the arc.


 
 
A Win Would…

•  Drop the Vikings overall record down to 12-12

 

• Extend the Vikings losing streak to three games

 

• Give the Trojans their 11^th win in the last 12 matchup's against ECSU