Ettrick, Va. (Jan. 20, 2024)- The Virginia State University women's basketball team dropped a 70-56 game to Virginia Union. The Trojans never lead in the game. 

VUU completely controlled the first quarter, outscoring Virginia State 19-11. VSU went the first seven minutes without a field goal until Cabria Lewis hit a layup to make the score 9-7 and Mihjae Hayes hit a layup a minute later to tie the game at nine all. In the second period, the Trojans scored the first four points in 70 seconds, making it 19-15. However, over the next six minutes VUU held the Trojans scoreless while scoring 13 points, making the score 32-15. Virginia Union would go into the break, up by 15 points 36-21. 

The third quarter was much of the same as Virginia Union seemed to hold on to a double digit lead as the closest VSU would get in the period would be 13 points, 43-30 after a pair of Tatiana Jones free throws at the 4:39 mark. After thirty minutes the score was 54-37 in favor of the panthers. The fourth period was the only one where VSU outscored VUU (19-16), but the closest the score would ever get was 10 points at 66-56. 

Hayes lead the team with 19 points and Jones was close behind with 13 points and added 11 rebounds for a double double. VSU drops to 15-2 overall and 6-2 in the CIAA and VUU improves to 10-6 and 5-3. Next for the Trojans will be Bluefield State at the MPC starting at 5:30 pm on Wednesday January 24.