Ettrick, Va. (Dec. 30, 2023)- Virginia State University men's basketball team hosted the Falcons of St. Augustine's and emerged victorious 78-63. 

Both teams would see the game be knotted at 13 all 10 minutes into the first half. VSU offense would heat up going on a 13-5 run over the next three minutes. Four different players would score during the run with Kendall Bynum and Imhotep George both contributing four points. The Falcons would fight back into the game getting the deficit down to a single possession on multiple occasions, but the Trojans would not give up the lead and head into the locker room up by five points, 40-35. 

Coming into the second half the first six minutes were controlled by the Trojans as they scored 15 of the first 19 points. George was responsible for seven and Bynum scored six to help make the lead 55-39. With 11 minutes remaining in the game SAU scored a layup and made the score 60-50 getting the deficit to its smallest margin since the first half. Three minutes later the Falcons would hit a three pointer to make the score 65-59, since the beginning of the second half the Trojan lead was single digits. However, VSU would outscore the Falcons 13-4 to end the game to secure the win. 

Bynum led the way with 23 points and George was close behind with 15 points. Jared Clawson and Chris Hampton both scored eight points. 

With the win the Trojans improve to 7-6 overall and 2-1 in conference play while SAU drops to 5-8 overall and 1-2 in conference play.  Next up for VSU will be another conference matchup against Johnson C. Smith University on Thursday January 4 at 7:30 p.m.