ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State women's basketball team allowed ECSU to sneak away with one as the Trojans fell to the Vikings, 55-53. The Trojans were held scoreless for the last three minutes of the game as the Vikings took advantage of the untimely VSU cold spell.
Shayla Sweeney and
Kaaliya Williams posted an identical 15 points and six rebounds in the contest. Sweeney went 5-of-8 from the field while contributing a steal while Williams added two assists.
Natalia Leaks posted nine points along with five boards, two assists and a steal.
Valerie Samuel and
Sommer Blakemore both ended with seven points in the contest. Samuel posted her twelfth game with at least five assists along with three steals as Blakemore added two assists and a steal as well. The Trojans held ECSU to just 32% from the field and 18% from three-point range but allowed them to shoot 25 free throws.
How It Happened
- Prior to the start of the game, the Trojans got take a technical foul shot so, prior to the tip off VSU already led by one thanks to Kaaliya Williams. Williams would go on to score the first five points for the Trojans, which, gave them the lead, 5-2. While VSU got cold, ECSU got hot as the Vikings led 14-7 with 4:43 left in the first quarter.
- The Trojans would then go on to score six points straight to bring the deficit to just one. ECSU led 20-15 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
- To start the second quarter, the Vikings would score the first six points to give them the first double-digit lead of the game at, 26-15, with 4:59 left to go in the half.
- With time winding down the second quarter, Kaaliya Williams would get hot again as she was able to rattle off seven points to bring the deficit to just four. The Trojans would go into the half time break with the score at, 26-23.
- At the half, Kaaliya Williams led the game with 12 points along with four boards. Valerie Samuel led the game with five rebounds as well. The squad was able to draw eight fouls and shot six free throws.
- The Trojans would score six unanswered points to go up by three points. With 5:48 left in the third quarter, the game was tied at 33.
- The two teams would continue to trade baskets with the deficit getting no higher than four points as the Trojans trailed by just one point with the score at 41-40 heading into the fourth quarter.
- Early on in the fourth quarter, the Trojans went up by five thanks to six straight points from Shayla Sweeney. Half way through the fourth quarter, the Trojans lead was cut down to three with the score at 50-47 with 4:36 left in the game.
- With 2:41 left to go, the Trojans were up by four points and were looking to close the game out. The Vikings would hold the Trojans scoreless throughout the rest of the game and scored six unanswered points to win, 55-53.
Inside the Box Score
- 14 offensive boards led to 17 second chance points
- The Trojans shot 50% from the field in the first and thing quarters.
Up Next
The Trojans will host senior night on Wednesday, February 12 against Bowie State University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
