Baltimore, Md. (Feb. 28, 2024)- The number 3 seed (North) Virginia State University men's basketball team took down number 6 seed (South) Jonson C Smith University 66-56. 

JSCU jumped out to an early 15-0 advantage in the opening four minutes and thirty seconds. A Jared Clawson and one jumper finally got the Trojans on the board at the 14:46 mark. That Clawson jumper was the beginning of a nine to one run making the score 16-9 with 12 minutes left in the first half. A three-pointer by Clawson a minute later got VSU into double figures, 16-12. A dunk by Izaeh Parker before the media timeout helped the Trojans cut their deficit to one basket, 16-14.  

Over the next four minutes the teams went back and forth until a Jonathan Norfleet fast break layup tied the game at 22 the 5:46 mark. Then at 2:52 Norfleet hit a huge three pointer to retie the game at 29. Parker would convert on a layup assisted by Tremere Brown to give VSU their first lead, 31-29 with a minute left in the half and Norfleet hit his third straight three to give VSU a 34-31 lead going into halftime. 

To start the second stanza VSU would outscore JCSU 11-3 to help give them a double-digit lead at 45-34, three minutes into the half. The Trojans would hold on to their lead into the first media timeout of the half, 49-41. The Trojans would work their advantage as high as 12 points, 56-44, after a Dajour Rucker layup and then followed that with a foul shot at the 11:40 mark. After nearly three minutes without scoring Brown sank two free throws to make the score 58-46 with eight minutes till the final horn. In the final eight minute the Trojans used some key foul shooting as they went cold from the floor making four foul shots while only making two shots in the last 12 minutes to secure the 66-56 win. 

Clawson, Kendall Bynum, Brown and Norfleet all scored in double figures. The team will now play in the quarterfinals against number 1 seed (South) Claflin University on Thursday Feb. 29 at 2 pm.