Virginia State Edges Out Johnson C. Smith in Nail-Biting Finish


Ettrick, VA - In an intense and gritty matchup, Virginia State University narrowly defeated Johnson C. Smith University 54-53 in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. Both teams struggled with shooting, but defensive plays and key rebounds made the difference in a back-and-forth contest.
 

The first half was marked by defensive intensity and shooting inefficiencies. Johnson C. Smith shot just 25% in the first quarter, making only 4 of their 16 attempts. Virginia State wasn't much better, shooting 12.5% (2-of-16) in the first quarter. However, Virginia State capitalized on free-throw opportunities, converting 6 of their 8 attempts, while Johnson C. Smith only managed 1 free throw on 1 attempt.

By halftime, Virginia State had held a slim 26-22 lead, thanks to strong free-throw shooting (100%) and a 9-rebound advantage, including 4 offensive rebounds. Despite struggling offensively, the Lady Trojans' defense and rebounding kept them ahead.

In the second half, both teams showed slight improvement in shooting, though neither could find much offensive rhythm. Johnson C. Smith shot 42.9% in the third quarter (6-of-14), but Virginia State remained steady with 38.9% (7-of-18). While Virginia State continued to struggle from long range (0-of-3 in the third), their advantage on the boards became more evident, as they grabbed 13 total rebounds in the quarter compared to just 9 for Johnson C. Smith.

In the final quarter, Johnson C. Smith pushed hard to regain the lead, shooting 38.9% (7-of-18) from the field and hitting 6 of 12 free throws. Despite some late-game heroics from Brown and Burnett, Virginia State held their composure and converted free throws down the stretch. They finished 6-of-8 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, sealing the win in the final minutes.

In the end, Virginia State emerged victorious by a single point, 54-53, thanks to their strong rebounding and clutch free-throw shooting. Despite a valiant effort from Johnson C. Smith, particularly from Kyshonna Brown and Betsey Burnett, they couldn't capitalize on key moments down the stretch. Virginia State will look to build on this hard-fought win, while Johnson C. Smith will be left to reflect on their shooting struggles as they prepare for their next challenge.

This tightly contested matchup highlighted the importance of defense, rebounding, and free-throw execution in securing victories, especially in a game with such slim margins.