Virginia State University Athletics

Ettrick, Va. (Dec. 12, 2023)- The Virginia State University men's basketball team played their final game before traveling to the Virgin Islands and came up with the victory 90-79 over Shaw University. From the foul line the Trojans produced 35 of their 90 points. 

The Trojans saw themselves down 11-10 at the 13:53 mark and scored the next five points to make the score 15-11. Shaw quickly retook a three-point advantage but were able to tie the game at 22 after an Imhotep George three-pointer with just over nine minutes remaining in the half. Neither team could gain much separation until the game was tied at 31 all with five minutes left. From that point VSU went on an 18-9 run. Four different Trojans scored during the run with George producing 10 of the points. VSU would enter the locker-room with a 49-10 lead. 

Five minutes into the second half Virginia State would get their largest lead up to that point, 58-46 after a Tremere Brown layup. The lead would stay around that margin for the next four minutes until the Bears scored a quick and-one to make the score 66-58 with only 9:55 remaining in the game. However, a three by George and a pair of foul shots by Christopher Hill made the lead double digits again, 71-58. 

The Bears attempted to make a comeback, but the Trojans were sent to the line 19 times and were able to connect on 17 of the attempts over the final eight minutes, securing the win 90-79. Before the final eight minutes the Trojans were only sent to the charity line 19 times in the first 32 minutes of the game. 

Brown led the team with 25 points and brought down seven rebounds. George also scored 21 points on 5-5 shooting from three and brought down seven rebounds. Kendall Bynum and Chris Hampton also scored in double figures with 17 and 10 respectfully. Bynum shot a game high 11 foul shots and he was perfect from the foul line.  

With the win the Trojans improve to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in CIAA play, while Shaw drops to 3-3 and 0-1 in conference play. Next VSU will travel to the Virgin Islands for the HBCU tournament on Friday Dec. 15, 2023, at 1:15 p.m. against the University of the Virgin Islands.