Virginia State Defeats Shaw in a Hard-Fought Game

Raleigh, NC- In a tight and competitive match, Virginia State emerged victorious with a final score of 50-41 over Shaw, thanks to solid performances from key players and better shooting efficiency in the second half.

Virginia State's offense was led by Mihjae Hayes, who scored 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 4 rebounds and 3 assists. She was particularly efficient in the third quarter, contributing 8 of her 15 points as her team improved its shooting percentage. Tiyanna James also played a pivotal role, contributing 13 points and 3 assists while shooting 5-of-12 from the field, including 3 three-pointers.

The front court for Virginia State was solid as well, with Carmen Kweti leading the team in rebounds with 15, adding 8 points, while Anii Harris scored 8 points despite struggling with her shooting (4-of-13). Despite some missed free throws, Virginia State's superior rebounding (42 to Shaw's 52) and ability to score in the paint (24 points in the paint compared to Shaw's 20) helped them maintain a slim lead throughout the game.

For Shaw, Keibra Hopkins was their standout player, scoring 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes also contributed well, finishing with 9 points and 12 rebounds in a strong all-around effort. However, Shaw struggled with consistency on offense, particularly in the second and third quarters, shooting just 27.27% and 20% in those periods.

Kiara Shepherd, typically a reliable scorer, struggled with her shot, finishing with just 2 points on 1-of-9 shooting. Shaw's lack of offensive execution was evident in their poor shooting percentages, especially in the second half. Despite these challenges, Shaw's defense kept the game close for much of the contest.

The game was a back-and-forth affair with multiple lead changes (6 times), but Virginia State managed to hold onto a small lead after their strong third quarter. Shaw had some chances to close the gap, especially with their three-point shooting, but their offense faltered in the final quarter.

Despite Shaw's efforts to mount a comeback, particularly with a key 3-pointer from Keibra Hopkins, Virginia State's ability to capitalize on rebounds and prevent Shaw from getting easy second-chance points in the final minutes sealed the win.

While Shaw fought hard and had several standout performances, Virginia State's better overall shooting in the third quarter, their rebounding dominance, and their ability to capitalize on turnovers proved to be the difference in this game. Virginia State moves forward with a well-earned win, 50-41, while Shaw will look to regroup and improve their offensive consistency in future matchups.