CHARLOTTE, NC --The Virginia State women's basketball team got a 34-point showing from the bench on the way to a 69-55 win over the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls on the road Saturday.
The Trojans (10-3, 4-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Skylar White, who had 16 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kendahl Spearman tacked on 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals off the bench and Michaela Lane chipped in as well with 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals and four blocks.
Virginia State out-rebounded Johnson C. Smith 46-34 in Saturday's game, paced by Spearman's eight boards. The Trojans also pulled down 19 offensive rebounds and scored 16 second chance points.
The Virginia State defense held Johnson C. Smith shooters to only 35.4 percent from the field. The Trojans also kept La'Niya Simes to 2-of-12 shooting and nine points in the game. The Golden Bulls did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only eight offensive rebounds and scored four second chance points while Virginia State pulled down 27 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 6-5 advantage, Virginia State went on a 12-0 run with 6:40 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Spearman, to increase its lead to 18-5. The Trojans then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 22-13 advantage. Virginia State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 22 points close to the basket.
Virginia State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 4:46 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Spearman, to increase its lead to 32-18. The Golden Bulls cut into that lead, but the Trojans still enjoyed a 34-21 advantage heading into halftime. Virginia State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 12 points close to the basket.
Virginia State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run to expand its lead further to 52-42 with 10 seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Virginia State took advantage of six Johnson C. Smith turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of takeaways.
Virginia State kept its lead intact before going on an 11-0 run, finished off by White's layup, to grow the lead to 66-49 with 3:24 to go in the contest. The Golden Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Trojans still cruised the rest of the way for the 69-55 win. Virginia State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring seven of its 17 total points.
Game Notes
» The Trojans held the Golden Bulls to only 35.4 percent shooting from the field.
» The Trojans never trailed after taking a 22-13 first quarter lead.
» Virginia State tallied 15 total assists in the game.
» The Virginia State bench made an impact by scoring 34 points to its scoring output.
» Skylar White and Kendahl Spearman came off the bench to score 16 and 15 points, respectively.
» Virginia State had a 46-34 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Virginia State defense forced 24 turnovers.
» The Trojans were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Virginia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Skylar White led the Trojans with a game-high 16 points.
» Virginia State got eight rebounds from both Kendahl Spearman and Michaela Lane.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
