ETTRICK, VA – Virginia State men's basketball team was defeated by the conferences leaders in Virginia Union, 81-57. The Trojans had a rough afternoon shooting, as the squad posted a 28% shot percentage from the field and 30% from the arc. The tough loss drops the Trojans conference record down to 4-7 on the season.
Terrence Hunter-Whitfield scored a team-high 14 points along with six rebounds in the contest.
Caleb Butts recorded 10 points and eight rebounds in the contest as well. 17 offensive rebounds led to 14 second chance points.
How It Happened
- At the start of the game, Michael Melvin hit a three-pointer, which brought the Panthers lead to just two points at, 7-5, with 15:25 left in the half.
- The Panthers would bottle the momentum and go on a 13-1 run to extend their lead to 33-11 with 6:22 left in the half.
- VUU held the Trojans scoreless for the last two minutes of the half as the Panthers took a, 41-21, lead into the locker room at half time.
- In one half of play, Michael Melvin led the team with six points going 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald finished his half with four points and a team-high four rebounds. The Trojans were able to force 12 fouls, which led to 15 free throws in the contest.
- Coming out of the halftime break, the VUU lead was up to as much as 25 points with the score at 51-26 with 17:34 left in the half.
- Midway through the half, the Panthers went on a 10-2 run which brought the score to, 63-34, with 12:05 left in the game
- With 5:54 left in the game, the Panthers lead got up to 35 points with the score at 81-46.
- The Panther went on to win the game 81-57.
Inside the Box Score
- The Trojans grabbed 17 offensive boards
- VSU forced 23 fouls and knocked down 21-of-30 of their free throws
- The Trojans forced 15 turnovers in the game
Up Next
The Trojans will play their last non-conference game of the season on the road against Salem University. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
