Ettrick Va (1/27/2024)-The Virginia State men's basketball team took on the Lincoln University Lions on Saturday where they lost in a close one possession game behind Lincoln's Freddie Young Jr's 25-point explosion.

Guard Chris Hampton started the game off with a steal and a mid-range bucket. The trojans quickly went on a 6-0 run forcing Lincoln University to call a timeout early in the first half. After the timeout Lincoln went on their own 6-0 run changing the momentum in their favor giving them a one-point lead. Kamryn Edwards knocked down a deep three to give the Trojans back the lead, but Lincoln's Freddie Young answered with a 3-pointer of his own and the Lions took the lead again. Dajour Rucker breaks a near four-minute scoring drought with a made free throw. Rucker drained a 3-pointer the next possession down tying the game at 16 with eight minutes left in the half. A pair of free throws by Jonathan Norfleet tied the game again at 18. Strong minutes off the bench from Rucker and a block and score from Norfleet late in the first half keep it a close game. Trojans go into halftime down six points.

The Trojans drew first blood in the 2nd half with a Kendall Bynum 3-point make. Tyrek Williams takes an elbow to the face on a no-call and must get subbed out. The trojans responded with a 6-0 run behind a pair of made free throws by Imhotep George making it just a two-point game. Chris Hampton rocks the rim with an alley-oop finish to tie it for Virginia State. George gives the Trojans a three-point lead splashing a corner three. A lay up by Rucker and made free throw by Anthony Crosby puts the Trojans up by four. Young hit a three to give the Lions a one-point lead, but the Trojans quickly took the lead back with a made layup by Crosby with six minutes left to play. Jared Clawson swished a three to put State up by four with a little over four minutes to go in the game. A made free throw by Lincoln's Ethan Garita shrinks the Trojans lead to just one. A clutch triple by Young ties the game with two minutes left in regulation. Young gives the Lions the lead on a layup with just 20 seconds left in the game. With the game on the line Clawson knocks down a clutch jump shot which was ruled a two for the tie. Reggie Hudson beat the buzzer, and the Lions won it 63-61.

Dajour Rucker led the team in scoring with 13 and Tyrek Williams led the team in rebounds with six despite only playing sparring minutes due to an injury. The Virginia State men's basketball team next travels to Maryland to face Bowie State on Wednesday January 31st at 7:30pm.