  TROJANS DEFEATED IN FREEDOM CLASSIC
Richmond, Virginia – Approximately 8,000 rivalry rooters rioted into the Richmond Coliseum for the 11th Annual Freedom Classic. The clash of conference competitors consisted of a showdown shootout between the Orange & Blue Trojans of Virginia State University and the Maroon & Burgundy Virginia Union University Panthers. During the holiday halftime performance by popular R&B Artists Common & Vivian Green, VUU and VSU tied at a tallied total of 21 points. However, the Panthers produced a downpour of 50 points in the second half to secure a 71 – 43 win. In the first half, VUU’s #3 Duan Crockett took the tip and quickly jiggled the nets with a jumper. The Trojans tied the game at 4 – 4 when #5 Rodney Henry lunged to the lane for a lay-up and #25 Brian Henderson made an unbelievable up and under two-pointer. Fans frowned at the handful of misfires as VSU and VUU had difficulty in putting the ball in the basket. The Panthers shot an ice-skating temperature percentage of 28.6% (six of 21) from the field while the Trojans made nine of 27 for a fairly warmer 33.3%. For about 10 minutes, give or take, VSU and VUU combined for a questionable 16 points and a head-shaking 13 turnovers. It was not until eight minutes later, around the 11minute mark that either team succeeded in sinking a second shot. VUU and VSU exchanged made three-pointers, but the Trojans took their first lead of the game 10 – 9 with a second made three-pointer by #3 Le’Greg Harrison. The Panthers rapidly put up their own second made three-pointer to take a 12 – 10 lead. VUU led 15 – 10 just before Trojan Baseball standout Marcus Morgan signaled for a media timeout and VSU’s World Renown Woo Woos wowed the crowd with an absolutely split-terrific show. The Trojans hopped back on the hardwood to take a 16 – 15 lead behind two lay-ups by Henry and the other by #24 Michael Askew. Both teams began to become tiresome as unscheduled timeouts caused play to pause due to floor perspiration. After the game resumed, VSU’s Henderson attempted a dunk but missed. Henry collected the offensive rebound and made the put back to elevate VSU to an 18 – 15 lead. The Trojans held a 20 – 17 point margin with a put back by Henderson . VUU’s Crockett pounced in the post to hit a jumper and hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 21 – 21 before the buzzer for break. Defending VUU to score their lowest first half point total of the season was definitely a plus for VSU. On the other hand, the Trojans looked to accumulate more frequent flyer miles as VSU only visited the charity stripe on two occasions in the first half. The Trojans accomplished that task appearing at the free throw line 13 times. VSU hit eight of those 13 attempts for a sun streaking 61.5% percentage. Nevertheless, the Trojans were held to be scoreless from behind the arc (zero of seven) and managed to make a mere seven of their 22 (31.8%) shot attempts from the field. As for the Panthers, #40 Darius Hargrove’s hands began to heat up. The senior out ofWakefield, VA hooked up with Crockett for a combined 33 second half points. Around the 13 minute mark, VUU led 37 – 29. Four minutes later, the Panthers pulled away for 16 point margin advantage (50 – 34 VUU). Then, around the four minute mark, Hargrove said “Amen” with his second three-pointer of the half. The benediction basket put VUU up 61- 40. Hargrove and Crockett both finished with 24, but Crockett’s 11 rebounds locked in his vote as the 2006 Food Lion - Freedom Classic MVP. Leading in scoring for the Trojans was #5 Rodney Henry. TheRichmond, VA native was seven of 10 from the field for a team high 15 points. Providing additional offense was #24 Michael Askew with 10 points and #20 Jamar Fleming with six points. Sport Management major Askew was two rebounds short of a double double with his eight rebounds. The Virginia State University Trojans will attempt to regain momentum with a win against the Shaw University Bears on Tuesday, January 17, 2006. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Cannot make it to the game? Well tune into WVST 91.3 and listen to Mr. Sean Robertson, Mr. James Yedel, and Mr. Jerry Crawford as they deliver all the play-by-play action!
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