Bluefield, W. Va. (Feb. 14, 2024)- The Virginia State University men's basketball (13-12, 7-7) team took down the Big Blue of Bluefield State (7-18, 4-10) after scoring 52 points in the second half, 83-68. 

Getting his first start of the year Daryl Mackey made the most of his opportunity scoring the first seven points for the Trojans with the score being seven to three. Going into the under 15 timeout VSU would only be up by two points 13-12. However, VSU would score the next eight points thanks to a Chris Hill three, Tyrek Williams foul shot and layup and a Tremere Brown layup to make the score 21-12 at the under 10 timeout. After nearly eight minutes the Big Blue finally scored another basket making it 21-14 with just under seven minutes in the half. The Big Blue would completely control the last seven minutes as the VSU lead would only be five points, 31-26 going into the break. 

In the second half the teams would play a back-and-forth affair for the first three minutes of the game playing to a 37-30 VSU lead. At the 15:04 mark VSU finally obtained a double-digit lead as Kamryn Edwards hit a three pointer to make it 45-34. The Trojans would hold on to their lead at a nine-to-ten-point advantage until a pair of Kendall Bynum foul shots and another Edwards three made it a 57-43 game at 11:16 mark. Virginia State would never let the Big Blue get back into the game and ran away with the game getting their lead as big as 20, 71-51 after Imhotep (Tap) George hit a pair of foul shots. 

Jared Clawson had a team high of 13 points and Mackey had a season high of 11 points. Brown was close to a double-double with eight points and seven boards. 

The Trojans will end their road trip on Saturday February 17 against Elizabeth City State University at 4 pm.