LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA --The Virginia State women's basketball team got a 30-point showing from the bench on the way to an 81-71 win against the Lincoln (PA) Lions on the road Saturday.
The Trojans (15-5, 9-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Maya Ellis, who had 25 points. Tamia Darden added 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench and Kendahl Spearman chipped in as well with 10 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Virginia State out-rebounded Lincoln (PA) 42-30 in Saturday's game, led by nine boards from Gabrielle Gerald.
Virginia State's defense held Lincoln (PA) to only 30.4 percent shooting from the field. The Trojans also limited Kaziah Akinniyi to 1-of-14 shooting in the game. The Lions did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with nine offensive rebounds and managed 10 second chance points while Virginia State cleared 33 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
Virginia State started out the scoring by going on a 21-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Ellis, to take an early lead with 4:31 left in the first quarter. The Trojans then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 29-7 advantage. Virginia State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 29 points.
Virginia State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 9:59 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Ellis, to increase its lead to 37-7. The Lions cut into that lead, but the Trojans still enjoyed a 41-21 advantage heading into halftime. Virginia State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 12 points.
Virginia State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Gerald, to expand its lead further to 51-26 with 6:45 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Lions had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Trojans still entered the fourth quarter with a 62-40 edge. Virginia State's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled six of the team's 21 third-quarter points.
Virginia State kept its lead intact before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Darden's layup, to grow the lead to 76-52 with 4:00 to go in the contest. The Lions narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Trojans still cruised the rest of the way for the 81-71 win. Virginia State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 19 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Trojans shot well from three point range, knocking down seven of 15 long range attempts.
» The Trojans held the Lions to only 30.4 percent shooting from the field.
» The Trojans never trailed after taking a 29-7 first quarter lead.
» The Trojans put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 72 percent of made field goals.
» The Virginia State bench came alive by scoring 30 points to its scoring output.
» Virginia State had a 42-30 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Virginia State defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Maya Ellis led the Trojans with a game-high 25 points.
» Virginia State got nine rebounds from both Gabrielle Gerald and Tamia Darden.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
