PETERSBURG, VA --The Virginia State women's basketball team went into halftime tied with UDC 25-25, but took control in the second half to knock off the Firebirds 66-45 at home Tuesday.
The Trojans (1-0) had two players score in double figures, led by Kendahl Spearman, who had 14 points. Jada Clark added 10 points from the bench and Briseis Estrada added seven points and three steals.
Led by Gabrielle Gerald's five offensive rebounds, Virginia State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 19 boards that resulted in 10 second chance points.
The Virginia State defense caused its share of mistakes in Tuesday's game, forcing 36 UDC turnovers while committing 19. Those takeaways turned into 39 points on the other end of the floor. Taylor Ragland led the way individually for the Trojans with three steals.
How It Happened
Virginia State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 15-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Virginia State then started off the second quarter by going on a 10-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Tamia Darden, to take an 18-15 lead. The Firebirds then battled back to even it up at 25-25 heading into halftime. Virginia State forced 12 UDC turnovers in the period and turned them into 13 points.
After intermission, Virginia State jumped out to a 31-29 lead before going on a 14-0 run to expand its lead further to 45-29 with 1:06 to go in the third. The Trojans held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 47-31 edge. Virginia State took advantage of 10 UDC turnovers in the quarter, scoring 12 points off of takeaways.
Virginia State kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Alaya Monroe-Sutton's three, to grow the lead to 58-35 with 4:52 to go in the contest. The Firebirds narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Trojans still cruised the rest of the way for the 66-45 win. Virginia State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 19 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Trojans held the Firebirds to only 39 percent shooting from the field.
» Virginia State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Virginia State bench came alive by adding 47 points to its scoring output.
» Kendahl Spearman and Jada Clark came off the bench to score 14 and 10 points, respectively.
» The Trojans turned 36 turnovers into 39 points on the offensive end.
» The Trojans forced 36 UDC turnovers while committing only 19 on the other end.
» The Virginia State defense forced 36 turnovers.
» Virginia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Kendahl Spearman led the Trojans with 14 points.
» Virginia State got five rebounds from both Gabrielle Gerald and Tamia Darden.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
