SALISBURY, NC --The Virginia State women's basketball team held Livingstone to just 20 percent from 3-point range in a 3-for-15 shooting performance on the way to a 66-42 victory against the Blue Bears on the road Thursday.
The Trojans (9-3, 3-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Sydney Roberts, who had 14 points and two steals. Kendahl Spearman tacked on 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals off the bench and Maya Ellis added three points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
Virginia State pulled down 60 rebounds in Thursday's game compared to Livingstone's 51, led by Ellis' 11 boards. The Trojans also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 18 rebounds into six second chance points.
The Virginia State defense was a problem in Thursday's game, forcing 25 Livingstone turnovers while committing 21. Those takeaways turned into 22 points on the other end of the floor. Spearman's four steals led the way individually for the Trojans.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 7-4 advantage, Virginia State went on an 8-0 run with 4:00 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Roberts, to increase its lead to 15-4. The Trojans then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 17-11 advantage. Virginia State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 17 points close to the basket.
Virginia State built that first quarter lead to 27-19 before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 4:35 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Spearman, to increase its lead to 35-19, a score that would hold until halftime. Virginia State dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 18 points close to the basket.
Virginia State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 48-28 with 3:03 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Blue Bears had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Trojans still entered the fourth quarter with a 52-34 edge. Virginia State played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 17 points in the paint.
Virginia State kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Ellis' three, to grow the lead to 59-35 with 6:15 to go in the contest. The Trojans held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 66-42 win. Virginia State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 14 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Trojans held the Blue Bears to only 21.4 percent shooting from the field.
» The Trojans never trailed after taking a 17-11 first quarter lead.
» Virginia State had a stellar day defensively, holding Livingstone to 20 percent from three point land on 15 attempts.
» The Virginia State bench made an impact by scoring 34 points to its scoring output.
» Virginia State had a 60-51 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Virginia State defense forced 25 turnovers.
» Virginia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 18 offensive boards in the game.
» Sydney Roberts led the Trojans with 14 points.
» Virginia State got a game-high 11 rebounds from Maya Ellis.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
