Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 4, 2023)- The Virginia State University women's basketball team (12-1, 4-1 CIAA) played their first conference road game and first true road game since December 6 as they took down Johnson C. Smith University (4-7, 1-3 CIAA) 73-69 in overtime. 

In the opening five minutes the teams were evenly matched as VSU held a slight one-point edge 10-9 with four different Trojans registering a bucket. Virginia State would only increase their lead to three points, 18-15 lead finally hitting two three pointers by Tatiana Jones and Tiyanna James at the two-minute mark. 

It only took one minute into the second quarter for the Golden Bulls to regain the lead with a 7-0 run to make the score 22-18. After a steal and layup by Amesha Miller with just over six-minute remaining till the break got the Trojans back to a tie at 26. Over the next minute JCSU went on a quick 6-0 run to establish some breathing room. A foul shot by Jones and a three from Cabria Lewis reduced the deficit back to two points, 32-30 with three minutes left. A layup by Jones just 24 seconds before halftime tied the game at 34. 

The second half started with both teams hitting a cold streak as in four minutes the Golden Bulls scored the only points in the third period. After back-to-back layups at the five-minute mark VSU regained the lead for the first time in the second half at 38-36. JCSU would outscore VSU 8-4 over the final five minutes to go into the final 10 minutes with a five-point advantage 47-42. 

After only scoring eight points the whole third quarter, the Trojans started the fourth quarter on a 12-3 run holding a 54-50 lead with five minutes left in the game. With 3:32 left in the game James hit three pointer to give VSU their largest lead of the game at 59-52. Over the next minute JCSU outscored VSU seven to two to make it a one possession game at 61-59 with just two minutes left in regulation. In the final two minutes JCSU managed to tie the game and forced overtime. 

In the first two minutes of extra basketball the Trojans scored six straight points to get breathing room mat 67-61. VSU would get a new biggest lead of eight points, 69-61 before the Golden Bulls hit a three with 1:28 left in the game. With just 10 seconds left the Golden Bulls hit a three and stole in ensuing inbound making a layup made the score 71-69 with 1.5 seconds left. Mekayla Furman hit her two foul shots to secure the win for VSU. 

James had a game high 18 points, both Furman and Mihjae Hayes finished with 14 points and Jones was the last Trojan in double figures with 10 points.  

The team stays on the road as they travel to Winston-Salem State University Saturday January 6 at 2 p.m.