Fayetteville, NC- In a compelling matchup, Virginia State secured a convincing 73-60 victory over Fayetteville State. The game was marked by impressive shooting from Virginia State, which finished the contest with a remarkable 54.2% shooting from the field. Fayetteville State, on the other hand, struggled with shooting, finishing the game at just 34.4% from the field.

Virginia State came out strong, shooting 60.87% in the first half, including a flawless 100% from the free-throw line (6-6). Despite a strong performance from their stars, Jacob Cooper led the charge with a stellar 20 points, including an efficient 9-10 from the free-throw line. His all-around performance, with 2 assists and 2 steals, was pivotal in maintaining their lead.

Joining him in the offensive effort was Clint Wright Jr., who scored 11 points, connecting on 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and pulled down 6 rebounds. Daryl Mackey Jr. and Dajour Rucker also contributed, each finishing with 10 points. Virginia State's ability to convert at the charity stripe (83.3%) played a major role, as they capitalized on their opportunities, especially in the second half when they shot 9-12 from the free-throw line.

Fayetteville State's shooting woes were apparent throughout the game, as they shot a disappointing 26.3% from three-point range (5-19) and 34.4% overall. Despite their struggles, Ezekiel Cannedy managed to put together a solid performance, finishing as the team's leading scorer with 16 points on 7-of-20 shooting. He also added 3 assists and 1 steal but was unable to lift his team offensively in the face of Virginia State's offensive efficiency.

Myles Pierre, off the bench, was one of the bright spots for Fayetteville State, contributing 13 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. However, the lack of consistent shooting from key players like Caleb Simmons (who finished with 8 points on 2-of-9 shooting) and Tairell Fletcher (5 points on 2-of-11 shooting) kept Fayetteville State from closing the gap.

Key Game Stats and Highlights

• Virginia State's offense was efficient, posting 34 points in the paint and 11 fast-break points, compared to 22 points in the paint and just 2 fast-break points for Fayetteville State.
• Turnovers were a factor, with Virginia State capitalizing on 17 points off turnovers.
• Fayetteville State's second-chance opportunities were more frequent, as they scored 14 points off second chances compared to Virginia State's 9, but it wasn't enough to overcome their shooting difficulties.

Despite a strong effort, especially in the second half when they shot a respectable 31.03% from the field, Fayetteville State couldn't capitalize on Virginia State's occasional lapses in the game. Their 3-point shooting struggles (just 1-7 in the second half) and inability to get stops defensively were key factors in their loss.

Virginia State's well-rounded offensive performance, highlighted by Jacob Cooper's clutch free throws and Clint Wright Jr.'s outside shooting, proved too much for Fayetteville State. Despite a valiant effort from Ezekiel Cannedy and Myles Pierre, Fayetteville State's shooting inefficiency and inability to match Virginia State's intensity in the paint led to the 73-60 defeat.

Virginia State's victory moves them forward with confidence, while Fayetteville State will need to regroup and focus on improving their shooting consistency ahead of their next challenge.