Virginia State (10-11) vs. Virginia Union (5-11)

 

Date	Saturday, February 5, 2022
Time	2:00 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Richmond, VA (Barco-Stevens Hall)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 | @VSUTrojansWBB

 
 
The VSU women's basketball team seems to have hit a slight wall in the season as they dropped their third game in a row to ECSU, 65-59. Coach James Hill Jr.'s squad ranks nationally in categories such as: 18th in turnover margin (6.00) and 23th in forced turnovers per game (21.85). VSU is also fourth in the conference in points allowed per game (59), first in free throw percentage (72.9%), first in turnover margin (5.78), first in assist/turnover ratio (0.87) and second in assists (303) and third in steals (217). Kaaliya Williams is currently ranked fourth in free throw percentage (80%), first in rebounding (152) and third behind Leaks in points (281). Valerie Samuel leads the conference in assists (88) and in assist/turnover ratio (2.2). Samuel also ranks fifth in steals with 38. Natalia Leaks is currently fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (40%), first in free throw percentage (91%), second in points (291), seventh in rebounding (124), seventh in assists (50) and eighth in steals (34). Sommer Blakemore currently ranks second in steals (49), seventh in three-pointers made (29) and fifth in assists (54). Shayla Sweeney crept her way into the conference leader board, as she is seventh in free throw percentage with 78% and seventh in blocks with 12.



 
          Last Time Out
 

• Natalia Leaks posted a game-high 16 points along with six rebounds and a steal while knocking down all four of her free throws.

 

•  Kaaliya Williams was right behind Leaks with 15 points prior to fouling out of the game.

 

•  Valerie Samuel posted her 10^th game with five or more assists as the guard scored seven points along with five assists. 

 

•  Sommer Blakemore went 3-of-4 from the field, which led to eight points.

 

• The Trojans grabbed 12 offensive boards, which led to 13 second chance points.

 


Scouting the Panthers

The Panthers are currently tied with Trojans at 1-4 in divisional play this season while maintaining a 3-7 in the conference. VUU has dropped three of their last four games. The Panthers average just 60 points per game while shooting just 36% from the field yet, shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which ranks them third in the conference. The Panthers are also not the team you want to put on the foul line knocking down 71% of their shots. VUU also averages the least amount of turnovers per game in the conference as well with 16.9. Defensively, the Panthers are among the worst in the conference giving up 67.3 points per game. VUU allowed opponents to grab 41 rebounds per contest while shooting 39% from the field. Ny Langley (12.8) and Taniah Johnson (12.6) lead the team in points per game as Johnson is ranked within the top-five in the conference in three-pointers made with 26. Langley also leads the team in rebounds with 91 and blocks with seven. Langley and Johnson combine for 77 assists on the season as well.



Series History

The Trojans are 12-14 against the Panthers dating back to 2009. The Trojans recently won a contest that put an end to a 10-game losing streak against the Panthers. VSU won the previous matchup this season, 62-59, as Trojans had four players finish in double figures shooting 20 free throws while allowing the Panthers to shoot only six.
 


        A Win Would…

•  Make the Trojans 2-0 against the Panthers

  

• Bring the Trojans back to .500 on the season at 11-11

 

• Bring the Trojans back to .500 in the conference at 6-6

 

• Put an end to a three-game losing streak