Virginia State (7-10) vs. Elizabeth City State (11-9)

 

Date	February 2, 2022
Time	7:30 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Elizabeth City, NC (R.L. Vaughan center)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882

 
 
The VSU men's basketball team prepares for a midweek matchup against the Vikings of Elizabeth City State after coming off a hard fought battle against the conference leaders in Lincoln (Pa.), 65-56. VSU and ECSU are two teams desperate for a win because not only are the two coming off a loss, the two are also tied for last in the Northern Division with a 4-6 conference record. Coach Lonnie Blow's squad currently ranks second in three-point pointers made (6.8), second in assists per game (14.35) and first in assist/turnover ratio (1.00). Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald is one of the CIAA's most skilled scorer's as 18.4 points per contest ranks him third in the conference. Fitzgerald also ranks sixth in field goal percentage (47%), seventh in free throw percentage (77%) and third in made three-pointers per game (2.3). Terrence Hunter-Whitfield is recognized as one of the greatest second options a team could offer as 14 points per game ranks him 11^th in the conference. Hunter-Whitfield is also deadly from the foul line knocking down 75% of his free throws which ranks him ninth in the conference. He is fresh off a game where he grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds as seven boards per game ranks him eighth.  In the first two games of the New Year, Hunter Whitfield scored a total of 59 points. 
 

 
 
Last Time Out

• Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald recorded his 13^th double-digit scoring game in the season as he posted 16 points with eight rebounds and season-high three blocks. Fitzgerald also knocked down all six of his free throws in the contest.

 

• Terrence Hunter-Whitfield grabbed a miraculous season-high 15 boards in the game while accounting for 14 points on evening. 

 

• Antwan Miles has found his grove this season posting his third-straight game with double-digits in scoring while shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field. Miles finished with 14 points along with four rebounds in the contest.

 

•  Michael Melvin posted nine assists for the fourth time this season along with four rebounds and four points.

 

•  Dajour Rucker added seven points and five rebounds in the contest.

 

•  The Trojans shot 71% from the foul line in the game while scoring 28 of their points in the paint
  
  
  Scouting the Vikings
  The Vikings pride themselves on the defensive end allowing just 64.7 points per contest. ECSU forces opponents to shoot just 40% from the field while grabbing 744 rebounds in the season. The Vikings currently ranks first in the conference in steals (161) and turnover margin (1.32). ECSU only scores 66.8 points per game but shoot 45% from the field. Zaccheus Hobbs is Mr. Everything for his team as 1.9 steals per game ranks him first in the conference. Hobbs leads his team in points per game (16.2), three-pointers per game (102), assists (35) and shot attempts per contest (184).
  
   
   
  
  Series History
  
  The Trojans are currently winning the series 19-6 winning the last 10 matchups between the two. The last matchup saw VSU take the victory 75-59 as the Trojans had four players finish in double figures. VSU shot 52% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc.
  
   
   
  A Win Would…

•  Even their road record at 5-5

 

• Give the Trojans their first win of the month

 

• Give the Trojans their third win in the past four games

 

• Get the Trojans out of the last spot in the Northern Division