Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 4, 2024)- Virginia State University men's basketball team dropped a gritty game to JCSU 70-69 in overtime.  

The opening six minutes was a feeling out process for both teams as the Golden Bulls held a 9-6 lead early in the game. With 11 minutes left in the first half Jared Clawson sunk a triple to make the score 13-12. A minute later an Imhotep (Tap) George three gave VSU their first lead, 15-13 since it was 6-5 three minutes into the game. JCSU only took two minutes to tie the game at 18 all. At the last media timeout, 4:35 left, the teams were playing a back-and-forth-game with the score at 23-23. Just before the halftime buzzer sounded Clawson hit his second triple of the half to send VSU into half with a 33-30 lead. 

One minute into the second half Clawson scored a quick five points to make the score 38-30. The Golden Bulls tried to fight back into the game, but the Trojans were able to answer every basket and held a five-point lead 44-39 at the 14:20 mark. At 12:22, JCSU hit a jumper to make the score 48-43, and the score stayed there until 9:59 when Tyrek Williams made a layup and converted his and one attempt, 51-43. The Golden Bulls would tie the game with just under eight minutes left as Javon Anderson scored a quick five points making the score 51-51. Twenty seconds later JCSU would obtain their first lead of the second half at 53-51. Clawson would tie the game at the 4:20 mark ending a five-minute scoring drought for the Trojans, with a tough layup.  

Three foul shots for VSU gave them a one possession lead at 56-53 with 3:41 left in the game. JCSU hit back-to-back three pointers to retake the advantage 59-56 with just 1:41 left. Kendall Bynum would answer with his one three with 54 seconds left. The Golden Bulls hit a step back jumper right before the shot clock went off to retake the lead 61-59. After hitting the first of a one of one JCSU got a three-point lead, but Clawson hit a NBA range three to send the game to overtime tied at 62. 

In the extra period Bynum bagged a pair from the foul line to give VSU a one-point lead 64-63. The Golden Bulls answered with their own two free throws with 2:54 left in overtime. JCSU hit the next two field goals, the first for either team in free basketball to get a 69-64 lead with 1:23 left. Clawson hit another huge three pointer after getting the steal at the 59 second mark. The Golden Bulls only hit one of the following foul shots and Bynum had a straight shot at a layup to make the score 70-69 with 35 seconds left. The Golden Bulls missed the next two foul shots and the Trojans raced down the floor and got a good look for the winning basket, but it came up just short. 

Clawson had a team high of 21 points on five three-point field goals. George contributed 12 points and Bynum had 11 points.  

With the loss VSU drops to 7-7 overall and 2-2 in CIAA play while the Golden Bulls improves to 7-4 and 2-2 in conference play. The team travels to the defending CIAA Tournament champions Winson-Salem State University on Saturday January 6.