Miami Shores, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2023)- The Virginia State University (2-0) women's basketball team played their first of three games in the sunshine state and defeated Barry University (2-1) 71-69. The Trojans outscored the Buccaneers nine to five over the last minute and a half to secure the victory.  

While Barry had eight points early the VSU defense still forced five turnovers in the first five minutes. Over the next three minutes the Trojans would score five of the next seven points thanks to four trips to the foul line where they completed three attempts, that made the score 10-8. 

VSU would tie the game at 15 with two foul shots from Amesha Miller just before the end of the quarter. 15 seconds into the second quarter the Trojans obtained their first lead as Tiyanna James sunk two foul shots. The second quarter neither team could take full control as they played an even game with VSU only outscoring the Bucs by two points, 14-12 for a 29-27 lead at the break. 

In the third quarter Virginia State would get a five-point advantage, 37-32, after Cabria Lewis made a difficult lay-up, three minutes into the third stanza and then a Miller fast break bucket would get the lead back to the five-point margin at the 5:56 mark, 39-34. With a three-point field goal from Lewis, VSU had the first double-digit lead of the game at 47-36 with 2:45 remaining in the third quarter. The Trojans would get their lead as high as 16 points on two occasions, 52-36 after a Trinity Moody layup and 54-38 after two Miller foul shots at 2:15 and 1:32 mark respectfully. The Bucs would score four of the last five points to end the stanza to make the score 55-42 going into the final period. 

Going into the fourth Barry commanded the period going on a 16-1 run to open the first six minutes, to obtain their first lead since the first quarter at 58-56. Barry did not let up on the intensity as they outscored the Trojans 22-7 going into the final minute and 45 seconds of the game. VSU was able to tie the game at 65 however with a Mekayla Furman lay-up with just 40 seconds left, but Barry answered with a jumper and that was answered by a Miller lay-up, plus the foul to make it a 67-67 game. Miller cashed in the and-one opportunity to give VSUU the lead with 20 seconds left. 

Barry once again answered with a make, but Miller once again went to the line and made two big free throws to make it a 70-69 game with just 11 seconds left on the clock. The Buccaneers ran down the court but missed the shot and VSU grabbed the defensive rebound to secure the win. 

Miller scored a team high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Lewis and James both had 12 points and Furman was the last VSU player in double digits with 11. The team stays in Florida as they play tomorrow against University of Fort Lauderdale at 1 p.m.