High Stakes and Heart Rates: Virginia State Secures Victory Over Bowie State


Baltimore, MD- Trojans basketball traveled to the CIAA Basketball tournament to take their first game against the Bulldogs of Bowie State University on February 26, 2025, at 6:20 pm.



Virginia State burst onto the court with a fiery start, quickly establishing a commanding lead that had the crowd buzzing with excitement. Jared White and Clint Wright Jr. were the stars of the show, dazzling fans with their spectacular three-pointers that set the tone early on. Despite trailing, Bowie State displayed flashes of brilliance, spearheaded by Elijah Davis and Joseph Allen, who drove to the basket for crucial layups, while Justin Morrisey contributed with valuable free throws and tenacious rebounds.

Virginia State was surgical with their timeouts, effectively recalibrating their strategy as the game progressed. Their defense, anchored by the relentless efforts of Jayson Harris and Clint Wright Jr., thwarted Bowie State's offensive attempts with impressive rebounds and timely steals. Highlight reel moments included Jared White's eye-popping 3-pointers and Dajour Rucker's lockdown defense. Meanwhile, Bowie State struggled with missed opportunities, particularly from Kevon Corley and Amare Wimbush, who failed to convert on multiple layups and three-pointers.

As the game continued to unfold, Bowie State refused to back down, responding with aggressive defensive steals. However, their offensive rhythm was stifled by turnovers and missed shots, including some nail-biting attempts from Dylan Edwards. Virginia State held firm, buoyed by clutch plays from Jayson Harris and Jacob Cooper, and by halftime, the scoreboard read 37-28 in favor of Virginia State.

The intensity ramped up as the second half commenced with both teams exchanging free throws and battling turnover woes. Virginia State gained momentum with back-to-back free throws from Daryl Mackey Jr. and a slick jumper from Clint Wright Jr., swelling their lead to as much as 11 points. Not to be outdone, Bowie State's Elijah Davis showcased his prowess with key baskets, including a dramatic jumper and a three-pointer that cut the deficit to just 4 points.

The game turned into a heart-pounding seesaw, marked by relentless action, fouls, substitutions, and narrowly missed shots. Attentive defense from players like Justin Morrissey and Caleb Johnson kept the pressure on. As the clock wound down, Virginia State's Kendall Bynum and Jacob Cooper nailed pivotal free throws to maintain their slim lead, but Bowie State mounted a fierce comeback, narrowing the gap to just 3 points in the final moments.

Despite a thrilling late-game push from Bowie State, highlighted by a fastbreak layup from Davis and some quick defensive maneuvers, Virginia State showcased their composure, hanging on to emerge victorious with a final score of 75-72.

The Trojans will play against the winner of Claflin/Lincoln on Friday, February 28, at 2 pm.