BLUEFIELD, W.Va. --The Virginia State women's basketball team got a 39-point performance from the bench on the way to an 81-69 victory over the Bluefield State Lady Blues on the road Wednesday.
The Trojans (16-5, 10-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Kendahl Spearman, who had 26 points and four assists. Tamia Darden tacked on 14 points and eight rebounds and Skylar White chipped in as well with 12 points and three steals.
Led by Gabrielle Gerald's two offensive rebounds, Virginia State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 11 boards that resulted in 12 second chance points.
Virginia State's defense held Bluefield State to only 38.8 percent shooting from the field.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 16-14 advantage, Virginia State went on a 7-0 run with 2:02 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Darden, to increase its lead to 23-14. The Trojans then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 23-16 advantage.
The Trojans maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 37-33 edge. Virginia State dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 14 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Virginia State continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 55-47 before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 60-47 with 54 seconds to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Lady Blues had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Trojans still entered the fourth quarter with a 60-51 edge. Virginia State played well near the basket, scoring 18 of its 23 points in the paint.
Virginia State kept its lead intact before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Alexis Blake's layup, to grow the lead to 73-62 with 4:15 to go in the contest. The Trojans kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 81-69 win. Virginia State took advantage of six Bluefield State turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Trojans held the Lady Blues to only 38.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Trojans never trailed after taking a 23-16 first quarter lead.
» The Virginia State bench came alive by scoring 39 points to its scoring output.
» Virginia State had a 42-35 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Virginia State defense forced 20 turnovers.
» Virginia State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Kendahl Spearman led the Trojans with 26 points.
» Virginia State got a game-high eight rebounds from Tamia Darden.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
