Virginia State Women's Basketball Dominates Johnson C. Smith in Conference Challenge
Ettrick, VA – The Virginia State University Women's basketball team delivered an impressive performance on Saturday, November 16, 2024, as they hosted the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University in a crucial conference challenge. The Trojans started strong, powered by a solid shooting display and tenacious defense, ultimately cruising to an 80-51 victory.
Virginia State jumped out to an early lead, fueled by a sharp-shooting performance and relentless defense. Anii Harris was particularly impressive, hitting crucial three-pointers and finishing fast-break opportunities, including a key layup in transition late in the game. Her quickness and ability to finish in the open court gave the Trojans an early advantage.
In the paint, Amesha Miller took control, scoring efficiently inside and contributing both layups and free throws. Miller's dominant presence in the second half helped keep Virginia State's momentum rolling, as she continued to attack the basket and grab rebounds, allowing the Trojans to extend their lead as the game progressed.
As the game wore on, Virginia State's defense began to smother Johnson C. Smith. The Golden Bulls struggled with turnovers, as Virginia State's defensive pressure forced several key mistakes. Desiree Smith, one of JCSU's primary offensive threats, had an uncharacteristically rough outing, committing multiple turnovers and missing several shots. Meanwhile, Virginia State's defensive intensity only increased.
The Trojans excelled in transition, scoring off of fast breaks and forcing JCSU to play catch-up. With strong contributions from the bench, including timely plays by Caitlyn Rodriguez and Nyasia James, Virginia State's depth showed as they kept their foot on the gas throughout the game.
While Johnson C. Smith had their moments, they were never able to break through the Virginia State defense. Betsey Burnett, who has been a key scorer for the Golden Bulls, struggled throughout the game, missing some jump shots. Meanwhile, Rylee Ghent was cold from three-point range, going 0-3 in the first half and failing to find her rhythm.
As Virginia State continued to build their lead, Rodriguez added a quick jumper early in the second half, extending the Trojans' advantage to 49-23 (+26) at 9:39. With their offense flowing and their defense locking down, the Trojans were in complete control, leading by as much as 31 points in the third quarter.
Despite a few brief attempts from JCSU to claw back into the game, including a three-pointer by Burnett late in the third quarter, Virginia State kept coming. Miller scored yet another layup to push the lead to 55-25 (+30) with 5:32 left in the game. From there, the Trojans cruised to victory, with timely plays by Alexis Blake and Kendahl Spearman adding to the final tally.
As the game wound down, Virginia State's dominance was clear. Miller continued to show why she is one of the team's most reliable players, contributing key points in the paint and hitting clutch free throws to seal the victory.
The 80-51 victory marks a significant win for Virginia State as they continue their push toward the top of the conference. The Trojans executed well on both ends of the court, taking advantage of JCSU's turnovers and converting fast-break opportunities into points. The defense was a highlight, forcing mistakes and limiting the Golden Bulls to limited scoring runs.
