Ettrick, Va. (Nov. 10, 2023)- The Virginia State University men's basketball team hosted the Trojan Tip-off Classic and dropped its first game against Shepard University 68-56.  

To open the first five minutes the Trojans went on a 13-5 run, with Imhotep George scoring six of the points. However, within the next five minutes the Rams managed to tie the game back at 18 all. After tying the game Shepard would go on a 10-2 run to gain an eight-point cushion, 28-20. 

The Trojans would answer my scoring nine of the last 12 points to end the half. Five different VSU players would score during the run with Dajour Rucker, Xavier Joyner, Stephan Morris and Jared Clawson making a field goal. 

Coming out of the break Virginia State only needed a minute to tie the game up with a Tyrek Williams layup. The teams would go back and forth to begin the half until Kendall Bynum three pointer at the 15:37 mark to give VSU their first lead since the first half when it was 18-15 with nine and a half minutes remaining.  

Shepard would eventually start to gain some separation from the Trojans as the score was 49-43 with nine minutes remaining. The Rams would get leads of 10 (57-47 and 59-49) with three minutes remaining. While the Trojans would fight back and get the deficit as low as seven points, Shepard would hold on for the win. 

Bynum led the team with 11 points and Tremere Brown was very close to a double-double with nine points and seven rebounds. The team returns tomorrow to play West Chester at 5 p.m.