PETERSBURG, VA --The Virginia State men's basketball team got a 37-point showing from the bench, but fell 79-78 to the East Stroudsburg (PA) Warriors at home Saturday.

The Trojans (0-2) had two players score in double figures, led by Brandon Hilliard, who had 19 points. Jacob Cooper added 11 points, four assists and three steals and Davian Coleman added five points, six rebounds and two blocks.

The Virginia State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday's game, forcing 21 East Stroudsburg (PA) turnovers while committing 20. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor. William Hopkins led the way individually for the Trojans with four steals.

How It Happened

After falling behind 39-30, Virginia State went on a 10-0 run with 4:02 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Hilliard, to take a 40-39 lead. The Trojans then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 43-40.

East Stroudsburg (PA) kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 61-57 advantage before Virginia State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Jordan Lambert's layup, to seize a 63-61 lead with 10:56 to go in the contest. East Stroudsburg (PA) re-asserted control, outscoring the Trojans 18-15 the rest of the way to hand Virginia State the 79-78 loss. Virginia State got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 20 of its 38 total points.

Game Notes

» The Virginia State bench came alive by scoring 37 points to its scoring output.
» The Virginia State defense forced 21 turnovers.
» Brandon Hilliard led the Trojans with a game-high 19 points.
» Virginia State got a team-high six rebounds from Davian Coleman.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.