#11 Virginia State (13-16) vs. #2 Elizabeth City State (17-5)

 

Date	Saturday, February 24, 2022
Time	12:00 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Baltimore, MD  (Royal Farms Arena)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 | @VSUTrojansWBB

 
 
The VSU women's basketball team will have a quick turnaround, as they ready themselves for the third installment of the VSU-ECSU matchup in the Semifinals of the CIAA Tournament after defeating #3 seeded Bowie State in the Quarterfinals. Coach James Hill Jr.'s squad ranks nationally in forced turnovers per game averaging 21.56 (25^nd) and 12^th in turnover margin (6.30). VSU is also fourth in the conference in points allowed per game (58.4), first in free throw percentage (71.7%), first in turnover margin (6.03), first in assist/turnover ratio (0.90), third in steals (287), third opponent field goal percentage (36.5%) and first in assists (394). Kaaliya Williams is currently ranked sixth in free throw percentage (79%), first in rebounding (202) and fourth in points (362). Valerie Samuel leads the conference in assists (118) and in assist/turnover ratio (2.0). Samuel also ranks fourth in steals with 52. Natalia Leaks is currently third in the conference in field goal percentage (44%), first in free throw percentage (88%), second in points (401), eight in rebounding (162), eighth in assists (70) and sixth in steals (47). Sommer Blakemore currently ranks second in steals (69), ninth in three-pointers made (36) and tied for fifth in assists (75). Shayla Sweeney worked her way into the conference leader board, as she is ninth in free throw percentage (74%).
 


Scouting the Vikings

While the Vikings sit comfortably at 20-6 on the season, as the Vikings have won seven of eight game. The squad is currently second in the conference in point margin as they typically beat their opponents by 9 points. The team is also second in the conference in field goal percentage (41%). On defense, ECSU gives up 57.2 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 (36%) and third three-point percentage (27%). Sireann Pitts currently leads the conference in blocks with 36 on the season and second in rebounds per game with 7.8. The Vikings have three players that average double-digits in Naterria Luster (11.2), Sireann Pitts (10.3) and Felicia Jackson (10.1). NyAsia Blango sits behind Samuel at second in the conference with 87. Jackson is the sharpshooter on the team as 44 three's make her third in the conference.



Series History

The Trojans are 14-10 against the Viking dating back to 2009. VSU has now lost the last four matchups. The Trojans lost the first matchup, 65-59 earlier in the season while dropping the most recent matchup, 53-55, as Shayla Sweeney and Kaaliya Williams each scored 15 points.