Virginia State's Strong Finish Propels Them to Victory


Baltimore, MD – The men's basketball team faced off against the Lions from Lincoln University on February 28, 2025, at 2 PM.

The game started with an electrifying atmosphere as Lincoln (PA) took an early lead, courtesy of an impressive jumper in the paint by Peter Sorber, beautifully set up by Reggie Hudson. However, Virginia State quickly responded; Dajour Rucker leveled the score at 2 with a clever tip-in at 18:28, igniting excitement on the court.

As the action intensified, Hudson struggled with his shot selection, allowing Rucker and Jacob Cooper to dominate for Virginia State. Cooper's crucial jumper at 15:34 propelled his team ahead by 6 points, putting Lincoln (PA) on the back foot. Yet, Ethan Garita wasn't ready to let the game slip away; his timely free throws at 14:05 kept Lincoln within striking distance.

Virginia State's Clint Wright Jr. stepped up with back-to-back 3-pointers—first at 7:28, extending their lead to 7 points, and then again at 6:55, pushing it to a 10-point advantage. Garita attempted to spark a comeback by sinking a free throw at 5:48, providing a glimmer of hope for Lincoln (PA).

With Jared White and Rucker consistently contributing, Virginia State managed to maintain its lead smoothly. Just when it seemed Lincoln might fade away, Garita ignited the crowd with a crucial jumper with only 49 seconds left in the half. Bakir Cleveland quickly followed with two free throws, narrowing the deficit to 8 points and keeping the tension high as Lincoln (PA) fought to close the gap.

Despite their valiant efforts, Lincoln (PA) couldn't quite bridge the scoring gap, and Virginia State finished the half strong, heading into the break with a convincing score of 29-21. The stage was set for an exhilarating second half!

At the beginning of the second half, both teams made early substitutions, with Virginia State bringing in Daryl Mackey Jr. and Davian Coleman to shake things up. The game resumed with a flurry of excitement, but both teams struggled to find their rhythm, evidenced by missed layups from Daryl Mackey Jr. and Ethan Garita, which had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

The first significant score of the half came from Manny Toha, who made a jumper at 19:17, putting Lincoln (PA) ahead 23-29 and sending shockwaves through the arena. However, Virginia State quickly responded with a powerful 3-pointer from Jacob Cooper at 18:43, stretching their lead back to 9.

The game was thrilling, filled with turnovers and impressive defensive plays, including blocks from Ethan Garita and steals by Jahmire Brewer, keeping fans roaring. A pivotal moment came at 15:06 when Reggie Hudson hit a stunning 3-pointer, giving Lincoln (PA) a fleeting one-point lead. But Virginia State wasn't backing down; Ethan Garita's jumper at 14:16 briefly put Lincoln (PA) up 33-32, only for Virginia State to reclaim the lead with a swift response from Jaedan Jefferson, who drained a 3-pointer at 14:04.

Fast breaks became crucial, with Bynum scoring a layup at 10:32 to bring the lead back to Virginia State at 37-35. However, Reggie Hudson matched that energy with a fast-break layup of his own at 9:03, tying the game at 39-39. Bakir Cleveland made his presence felt with a block and rebound, keeping Lincoln (PA) in the hunt.

As Virginia State tightened their grip, they established a 6-point cushion, bolstered by free throws from Jacob Cooper and a key 3-pointer from Jared White with just 3:38 left on the clock, putting them up 49-45. Lincoln (PA) fought back fiercely, with Peter Sorber knocking down a critical 3-pointer to narrow the score to 52-57 as the clock ticked under a minute.

Ultimately, Virginia State sealed their victory with precise free-throw shooting in the closing moments, highlighted by contributions from Jacob Cooper and Jared White. The final minutes saw Daryl Mackey Jr. and Clint Wright Jr. calmly sinking their free throws, solidifying the win and bringing the final score to 66-57.

The Trojans will play the winner of the Bluefield State vs. Fayetteville State game tomorrow, March 1, 2025, at 4 PM.