Virginia State (11-13) vs. Elizabeth City State (17-5)

 

Date	Saturday, February 12, 2022
Time	2:00 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Ettrick, VA  (VSU Multipurpose center)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 | @VSUTrojansWBB

 
 
The VSU women's basketball team will have a quick turnaround, as they will compete in their second game in two days after coming off a tough overtime loss against Shaw, 59-55. After coming off a hard fought game, the Trojans have a very tall task ahead of them as the Vikings are tied for first in the conference with a record of 9-4. Coach James Hill Jr.'s squad ranks nationally in forced turnovers per game averaging 21.09 (22^nd) and 13^th in turnover margin (6.48). VSU is also fourth in the conference in points allowed per game (59), first in free throw percentage (72.9%), first in turnover margin (6.23), first in assist/turnover ratio (0.90), third in steals (261) and first in assists (353). Kaaliya Williams is currently ranked fifth in free throw percentage (80%), first in rebounding (174) and third behind Leaks in points (324). Valerie Samuel leads the conference in assists (103) and in assist/turnover ratio (2.0). Samuel also ranks fourth in steals with 47. Natalia Leaks is currently sixth in the conference in field goal percentage (42%), first in free throw percentage (91%), second in points (344), ninth in rebounding (134), fourth in assists (64) and 10^th in steals (40). Sommer Blakemore currently ranks second in steals (62), ninth in three-pointers made (30) and fifth in assists (63). Shayla Sweeney worked her way into the conference leader board, as she is seventh in blocks with 13.


 
          Last Time Out
 

• Natalia Leaks scored a game-high 20 points along with five assists and three steals. 

 

•  Kaaliya Williams scored eight points and posted her sixth game of the season with 10 or more rebounds as she grabbed a game-high 10 boards.

 

•   Prior to fouling out, Sommer Blakemore posted seven points with five rebounds and four steals. 

 

•    Valerie Samuel posted seven points also with six rebounds and a team-high four assists.

 

• The Trojans shooting percentages held them back tonight as they shot 31% from the field, 13% from beyond the arc and a season-low 54.3% from the foul line.

 

• The Trojans forced 15 steals in the contest and scored 26 points off turnovers. 

 
 

• The Trojans outrebounded the Bears on the offensive glass 22-3.  
   

Scouting the Vikings

While the Vikings sit comfortably at 17-5 on the season, as the Vikings went on a four-game win streak after beating the Trojans in the previous matchup. The Vikings play vastly different when they are at home vs. being on the road as they are 11-2 at home and 4-3 on the road. The squad is second in the conference in point margin as they typically beat their opponents by 10 points. The team is also second in the conference in field goal percentage (42%). On defense, ECSU gives up 56.8 points per game, which makes them the best defense in the conference. The squad is also second in the conference in opponent field goal percentage (35%) and three-point percentage (26%). Sireann Pitts currently leads the conference in blocks with 35 on the season and second in rebounds per game with 8.3. The Vikings have three players that average double-digits in Naterria Luster (10.8), Sireann Pitts (10.3) and Felicia Johnson (10.0).



Series History

The Trojans are 14-9 against the Viking dating back to 2009. VSU has now lost the last three matchups. The Trojans lost the most recent matchup, 65-59 earlier in the season as the Trojans could not overcome the early deficit in the first quarter.



        A Win Would…

•  Bring the Vikings away record down to 4-4

 

• End the Vikings four-game win streak

 

• Put an end to a three-game series win streak