Clutch Performances Ignite Virginia State's Win Over Lincoln


Baltimore, MD—The Virginia State University Women's basketball team played its first game in the opening round of the CIAA Basketball Tournament. The Trojans took on the Lions of Lincoln University on February 26, 2025, at 2: 20 p.m.


The game kicked off with an electrifying start as Virginia State quickly seized control. Amesha Miller and Anii Harris set the tone early with pivotal plays that kept the momentum on their side. Although Lincoln struggled initially, they fought back fiercely. Anyssa Fields launched a daring 3-pointer, while Hunter Conway sank a jumper that energized their team. Anii Harris was everywhere on the court, making crucial steals and pulling down rebounds for Virginia State, while Kaziah Akinniyi secured critical free throws for Lincoln. However, the Trojans maintained a steady lead, with Miller dominating the boards and racking up points.

As the first half progressed, Virginia State surged ahead, bolstered by excellent contributions from Anii Harris and Carmen Kweti. Lincoln, undeterred, worked hard to narrow the gap, with baskets from Anyssa Fields and Ariana Makumi. Anii Harris continued to shine, not only scoring but also orchestrating plays that kept Virginia State's momentum alive. Fields made a statement with a key 3-pointer that had fans on their feet. On the defensive side, Virginia State was relentless, executing multiple steals and securing rebounds, primarily thanks to the efforts of Kweti and Harris. By halftime, Virginia State held a 31-25 lead.

The second half began with Virginia State reestablishing its dominance. Amesha Miller showcased her skills with a smooth jumper and grabbed crucial rebounds. Yet, Lincoln was not done; Kaziah Akinniyi dazzled with a turnaround jumper, and Ciani Montgomery made a spectacular driving layup to keep the pressure on. Anii Harris and Carmen Kweti continued to energize Virginia State with impressive assists and rebounds. Defensively, Anyssa Fields and Hunter Conway were tenacious, with Fields executing a remarkable block and Conway grabbing important boards. The competition intensified as both teams delivered strong performances and made critical plays.

As the game neared its conclusion, Amesha Miller remained a consistent force for Virginia State, hitting clutch free throws and collecting more rebounds. Lincoln's Akinniyi and Montgomery ramped up their efforts, with Montgomery sinking a crucial 3-pointer and Akinniyi hitting another impressive jumper. Fields and Conway remained dynamic, making their mark on both offense and defense. Despite Lincoln's attempts to regroup through multiple timeouts, Virginia State countered every push with sturdy defensive plays and relentless scoring, particularly from Mihjae Hayes and Miller.

In the end, Virginia State emerged victorious with a hard-fought 67-59 win, leaving fans cheering for their resilience and teamwork!



The Trojans advance to the next round to go against the winner of the Bowie/Livingstone game on Friday, February 28. at noon.