Virginia State (11-12) vs. Shaw (9-11)

 

Date	Thursday, February 10, 2022
Time	6:00 p.m.
Live Stream	Live Stream
Location	Raleigh, North Carolina  (C.C. Spaulding Gym)
Social Media	@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 | @VSUTrojansWBB

 
 
The VSU women's basketball team is looking to stay hot against Shaw as they come off their best win of the season beating Bluefield State College, 95-62. The Trojans posted season-highs in points (95), field goal percentage (59%), three-point percentage (43%) and free throw percentage (92%). Coach James Hill Jr.'s squad ranks nationally in forced turnovers per game averaging 21.82 (25^th) and turnover margin (6.32). VSU is also fourth in the conference in points per game (59), first in free throw percentage (73.5%), first in turnover margin (6.08), first in assist/turnover ratio (0.92), third in steals (246) and first in assists (343). Kaaliya Williams is currently ranked fourth in free throw percentage (80%), first in rebounding (166) and third behind Leaks in points (316). Valerie Samuel leads the conference in assists (99) and in assist/turnover ratio (2.0). Samuel also ranks fifth in steals with 44. Natalia Leaks is currently fifth in the conference in field goal percentage (42%), first in free throw percentage (90%), second in points (324), ninth in rebounding (131), eighth in assists (59) and 10^th in steals (37). Sommer Blakemore currently ranks second in steals (50), ninth in three-pointers made (29) and sixth in assists (54). Shayla Sweeney worked her way into the conference leader board, as she is sixth in free throw percentage with 78% and seventh in blocks with 13.


 
          Last Time Out
 

• Sommer Blakemore was just two steals and two rebounds away from a tripe-double as the junior guard finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. 

 

•  Natalia Leaks scored a game-high 23 points, as she was superb from the field shooting 10-of-14 from the field. Leaks ended with five rebounds and five assists as well

 

•   Shayla Sweeney led the bench mob with 18 points and five rebounds in the contest.

 

•   The Trojans finished 12-of-13 from the foul line and forced 26 turnovers.  
   

Scouting the Bears

The Bears have struggled to find consistency in the season as the squad has seen high-high's and low-low's this season at 9-11. While the Bears have beaten PSU-GA by 43 points, they also lost to WSSU by 52 points. That being said they enter the match up above .500 at 6-5. The Bears sit right behind the Trojans in free throw percentage (70%). Despite the offensive efficiency issues, they average 64 points per game. February has been their coldest month of the season shooting just 30% from the field and 14% from the three-point line. Mackenzie Pollard ranks sixth in the conference in points per game with 13. She is also fourth in field goal percentage (44%). Inari Jones also ranks in the conference in blocks with 16. Makayla Sutton leads the team with 41 assists while Tanayja London leads with 116.



Series History

The Trojans are 8-11 against the Bears dating back to 2009. The Trojans lost the most recent matchup, 52-47 earlier in the season as the Trojans forced 20 turnovers but shot 31% from the field and 24% from beyond the arc.



        A Win Would…

•  Even their away record against the Bears at 4-4

 

• Even their overall record at 11-11

 

• Avoid a regular season sweep against Shaw