Virginia State University Trojans Triumph in Double Overtime Thriller Against Lincoln University


Your Virginia State University Trojans (16-5) face off against Lincoln University (9-13) in their second season meeting they look for another win against the Lions. The Trojans started the game with a steal and a three-point make by Tiyanna James. Tiyanna James sank another 3-point bomb on the very next possession. Virginia State was off to a hot start in the first quarter forcing the Lions to take their first timeout the Trojans led 10-0. The Trojans came out of the timeout and forced a turnover right away. The Lions scored their first basket at the 6:46 mark of the 1^st quarter. The Lions went on a run of their own and closed the gap to make it a 9-13 game. The Trojans go on a scoring drought and the Lions tie the game at 13. The buzzer sounds to end the 1^st quarter, and the score is knotted up at 15 apiece.
 
Both teams go scoreless for three minutes to start the 2^nd until Lincoln breaks the ice Anyia Gibson makes a layup and gives her team their first lead of the game. With five minutes left before halftime, the score is tied again 21-21. Tiyanna James ends the 2^nd quarter beating the shot clock and sinking a 3-pointer to give the Trojans a one-point lead at halftime.
 
A scramble first possession out of the half leads to VSU's Anii Harris getting fouled on a 2-point attempt, she knocked down both free throws to give the Trojans a 30-27 lead. Lincoln's Ciani Montgomery made a 911 triple and the Lions were on top 32-30. Lincoln went on an 11-0 run making the score 41-30, the Trojans found themselves in a double-digit deficit. The Trojans ramp up their defense and cut the lead to six points at the end of the quarter.
 
The Trojans make it a 42-44 game with some sticky defense. Both teams go back and forth, and when one scores another answers. The score is 53-48 with four minutes to go in regulation. Tanayja London had a chance to get the Trojans within 5 points with a pair of free throws, she sank one of two at the line making it a 55-49 game with a little over two minutes to play. Anii Harris got a steal by playing the passing lane with a chance for the and-1. She sinks the free throw the score is 55-52 with 1:09 left. Lincoln misses a 3-point try and Mihjae Hayes goes down the court and gets fouled on the shot attempt. Hayes completes the and-1 play and it's a tied game with 0:37 seconds left in regulation. The Trojans have a chance to win the game with nine seconds left. The Lions bring the heat on defense in the final possession and force a timeout with just one second left in the game. A shot attempt by Tiyanna James misses wide and we have overtime.
 
Lincoln's Ciani Montgomery starts overtime scoring two consecutive buckets bringing her point total to 21 for the game. VSU's Anii Harris subs in at the 2:26 mark and gets fouled while charging to the basket. She makes one of two. Amesha Miller goes up strong to the basket and scores with a chance for the and-1. Miller completes the and-1 play tying the game with 53 seconds left in OT. They put the ball in Tiyanna James' hands again for the final shot in OT and a chance to win at the buzzer. The shot is halfway down before it spins out. To the 2^nd OT, we go.
 
Anyia Gibson gets the scoring started in the 2^nd overtime for the Lions, giving them a two-point lead. A Carmen Kweti layup puts the Trojans up one with under two minutes to play. The Lions go the intentional foul route grabbing Anii Harris. She calmly drains both free throws the lead is 3 with 20 seconds left in double overtime. The Lions choose to foul with two seconds to play Mihjae Hayes sinks both shots and the Trojans walk off with a hard-fought W. The Final score is 71-68.
 
Tiyanna James led the team in scoring with 19, Carmen Kweti led the team in rebounds with a big 23 boards.

Their next game is against Bluefield State University on February 12^th.