ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State University Women's Basketball team delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, November 16, 2024, cruising to an 80-49 victory over Shaw University at home.

From the opening tip, the Trojans showcased their offensive firepower and relentless defense, overpowering Shaw and maintaining a commanding lead throughout the game.Virginia State (4-0) came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, led by Tiyanna James, who set the tone early with two quick three-pointers. James nailed her first shot from beyond the arc at 9:42 in the first quarter, followed by another at 8:50, giving VSU a 6-0 lead. The Trojans' offense was efficient and balanced, with Skylar White playing a key role, distributing the ball and pushing the pace in transition.

While Shaw (2-3) fought hard in the opening minutes, the Trojans' defense proved too much to handle. Shaw's Keibra Hopkins and Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes did their best to keep the Lady Bears within striking distance, with both scoring in the paint to cut the lead to 12-6 at the 7:35 mark. However, VSU responded with quick baskets from Amesha Miller and Skylar White, pushing their advantage back to double digits.

The Trojans' defense was especially suffocating in the first half, forcing Shaw into multiple turnovers and missed shots. Miller played a key role on the defensive end, blocking shots and securing rebounds. At 6:37, Miller blocked a layup attempt from Hopkins, leading to a fast-break opportunity for White.

In the second quarter, Virginia State expanded their lead behind the strong play of Amesha Miller. The junior forward made her presence felt early, converting two free throws at 9:37 to push the lead to 26-8. Miller added another basket in the paint at 8:09, extending the lead to 28-8. Her combination of scoring and rebounding was crucial, as the Trojans continued to build on their early advantage.

Shaw struggled to get into any rhythm offensively. Hopkins missed several attempts in the paint, and turnovers plagued the Lady Bears' efforts. Meanwhile, VSU capitalized on the mistakes, converting turnovers into easy fast-break points. With 4:24 left in the first half, Kendahl Spearman hit a jumper to make it 30-8 (+22), and the Trojans never looked ba

The Trojans' depth was on full display throughout the game, as players off the bench provided crucial contributions. Tanayja London added 6 points, including a jumper at 1:32 in the third quarter that extended the lead to 55-30 (+25). Caityln Rodriguez also got in on the action, hitting a three-pointer at 0:51 to make it 58-33, further sealing Virginia State's comfortable lead.

On the defensive side, Anni Harris, Miller, and White were relentless, forcing turnovers and pushing the pace in transition. Harris contributed both offensively and defensively, while Rodriguez and White found multiple opportunities to run the floor.

Despite the lopsided score, Shaw didn't go down without a fight. Indiya Spooner was one of the standout players for Shaw in the second half, providing some much-needed energy and scoring. Carmen Kweti also made an impact, contributing key fast-break points and providing solid defense. However, the Lady Bears' shooting struggles continued, and they were unable to stop Virginia State from pulling away in the final minutes.