Virginia State Trojans March On: A Comprehensive Win Over West Chester


West Liberty, W. VA—The Virginia State University men's basketball team played a competitive match against the Golden Rams of West Chester University of PA on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at noon in West Liberty, West Virginia. 
 

In a thrilling showdown, Virginia State and West Chester battled it out on the court, igniting the excitement right from the tip-off. It all began at 19:04 when DaJour Rucker dazzled the crowd with a swift layup, giving Virginia State an early 2-0 lead. But West Chester quickly fired back—just a minute later, Elijah Allen launched a stunning three-pointer that flipped the scoreboard to 3-2 in favor of West Chester, sparking a fierce back-and-forth.

The first half was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. Virginia State's Davian Coleman was a force to be reckoned with, scoring a tip-in that helped push their lead to 8-3 around the 15:03 mark. Determined not to fall behind, West Chester's Dylan Blair drilled a jumper to narrow the gap, and just moments later, Davante Dennis executed a fastbreak layup that tied the game at 8-8 with 12:54 remaining.

As the intensity surged, Virginia State began to assert dominance, igniting a powerful run. Key contributions from DaJour Rucker and Kendall Bynum propelled them forward. In a stunning series of plays, Virginia State surged ahead to a 25-15 advantage by 5:53, capped off by Jared White's electrifying three-pointer that stretched it to 28-15 just moments later. With time winding down in the half, Clint Wright Jr. connected on another three-pointer, pushing the score to 34-21. West Chester fought valiantly, with Elijah Allen and Phillips Darrius making their mark, but missed opportunities and turnovers stifled their comeback efforts, allowing Virginia State to maintain a commanding lead heading into halftime.

The second half ignited with energy as West Chester came out swinging. Joshua Walker and Elijah Allen were unstoppable, scoring fast-break points and sinking crucial three-pointers, reigniting hope for their fans. Virginia State, however, answered back with Jared White hitting a pivotal three-pointer of his own, while Jacob Cooper effortlessly dished out assists, keeping the tempo and rhythm alive for his team.

West Chester's Purnell Jr. showcased his skills with spectacular fast-break layups and clutch shots, keeping the pressure on Virginia State. But the Trojans weren't about to let up. Kendall Bynum and Daryl Mackey Jr. made their mark on the defensive end, snagging steals that sparked more fast-break opportunities for Virginia State. In the critical closing moments, DaJour Rucker demonstrated poise under pressure, hitting crucial free throws to help solidify the lead.

Despite West Chester's valiant attempt to rally back with impressive individual performances, they ultimately struggled to penetrate Virginia State's well-balanced offense and relentless defense. As the final buzzer sounded, it was Virginia State who emerged victorious, sealing the game with a final score of 80-64. The clash was not just a game; it was a testament to resilience and teamwork, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end!

The Trojans advance to the next round to face the winner of game 2 on March 16, 2025, at 5 PM.