Virginia State Falls to Gannon in Tough Road Test


Virginia State University faced a daunting challenge in their recent matchup against Gannon University, falling 92-66 in a tough road contest. Despite strong efforts, the Trojans struggled to keep pace with a dynamic Gannon squad that dominated in both the offensive and defensive phases of the game.

The game started with Virginia State showing some promise; however, they quickly encountered difficulties as Gannon's defense proved to be too strong. Early in the half, the Trojans managed to string together a few solid possessions, but turnovers quickly accumulated, leading to easy points for Gannon. These mistakes allowed the Golden Knights to build an early lead that they would never give up.

As the halftime buzzer sounded, Virginia State found themselves in a tough spot, trailing 39-21. The Trojans struggled to find their offensive groove, thwarted repeatedly by Gannon's tenacious defense. Their attempts to break through were met with resistance, and coupled with difficulties in rebounding and execution, narrowing the gap seemed increasingly daunting. 

As the second half began, the Trojans hoped for a comeback, but Gannon quickly shut down any potential rally. Virginia State continued to struggle with turnovers and poor shot selection, allowing Gannon's fast-break offense to fully exploit these mistakes. Gannon excelled in transition, leading to easy baskets that widened the Golden Knights' lead.

Virginia State attempted to respond, with key players like Clint Wright Jr. and Kendall Bynum taking shots, but it was not enough to slow down Gannon. Despite a few moments of brilliance, including a strong driving layup by Green at the 14:45 mark, the Trojans could not gain momentum. They fell behind by as many as 30 points in the second half, a deficit that proved insurmountable. The final score was 92-66 in favor of Gannon University.

The Trojans had an impressive season, finishing with a record of 22-9 and being crowned the 2025 CIAA Men's Basketball Champions. This season served as a foundation for a promising future for the Virginia State Trojans.