Ettrick, Va. (Jan. 20, 2024)- Playing in the Freedom Classic at the MPC the Virginia State University men's basketball team dropped the decision 54-44 to Virginia Union.  

In the opening eight minutes of the game VSU would hold on to a 10-3 advantage and hold the panthers without a field goal attempt. At 11:10 VUU would hit their first of three first half field goals and completed the and one to make the score 10-6. Neither team could really get into a rhythm in the first half as Trojans went into the locker room with a 21-18 lead.  

At the 15:10 mark Virginia Union would hit a three-pointer to grab their first lead of the game at 27-25. For the next three minutes the teams would play back and forth to a 29 all game. Over the next 3:17 the panthers would go on a 7-2 run to make the score 36-31 with just eight and a half minutes left in the game. Two minutes later VSU would tie the game at 36, but a 12-3 run by the Panthers seemed to put all the momentum in the hands of VUU with the score being 48-39 with just three minutes left. 

Kamryn Edwards was the leading scorer with nine points and Johnathan Norfleet and Izeah Parker both produced seven. With the loss the Trojans drop to 8-10 and 3-5 while VUU improves to 7-11 and 2-5. Next for the Trojans will be Bluefield State on Wednesday January 24 at 7:30 p.m.