Petersburg, Virginia – The Shaw University Bears clawed their way to the Land of Troy for their CIAA Eastern Division dual with the Mighty Trojans of Virginia State University. The Trojans tazzer-tagged the Bears 84 – 66 to collect their third win in the last four games.  

 

Concluding Sport Management Masters Degree-seeking Brandon “BJ” Johnson’s illustrated introduction of each team’s lineup, VSUGC “Recording Artist” Angenia Toodle sung a soulful version of the National Anthem that left the elbow-to-elbow packed congregation of Trojan fans overflowing with Trojan Dignity & Pride.

 

At the start of the first half, VSU’s #33 Aubrey Brown recovered a turnover and delivered a nifty assist to #24 Michael Askew. SU’s #12 Jason Coleman dribbled down court and made a three-pointer. The score would seem almost insignificant as the Trojans bullied the Bears 15 – 8 with a two three-pointers, one by Askew and one by Brown, and then a thunderous “hello honey, I’m home” dunk by #25 Brian “Hangtime” Henderson. Then, #5 Rodney Henry dialed long distance and converted a SU turnover into a fast break two pointer. The Trojans taunted the Bears with a 28 – 18 lead via two stop and pop jumpers by #20 Jamar Fleming. SU’s six minute scoring drought was finally ended around the seven minute mark with two free throws and a made 15-footer, but Trojans kept the Bears at a distance (38 – 22 VSU) with their own post production and second chance shots. The Trojans were 18 of 30 (60%) from the field and was a day at the beach 71.4% (five of seven) from behind the arc. VSU was led into halftime up 48 – 31 with 13 points from Henry and 22 points combined equally by Henderson and Askew.

 

 The second half began with a three-pointer by SU’s #5 Nate Aaron. VSU’s Askew responded rapidly with a jumper to maintain their 16 point lead (50 – 34 VSU). The Bears showed signs of life with a three-pointer by #42 Melvin Smith. Around the 14 minute mark, Bears stood paralyzed with astonishment of the copious obscure clouds that lingered over their defense. It was nothing more than the shadow of Alpha Man Askew! The Sport Management scholar rained on SU with towering jumpers inside the post and rainbow releases from outside the arc. The 6’7” forward from Woodbridge, VA had only one misfire and that was from behind the arc. SU stopped play in attempt to adjust at 10:40 with a full timeout as VSU sprinted ahead 63 – 45. The Bear’s #34 James Rosebud rose above the rim on four different occasions, but none of the rim-rattlers stirred any fear in the hearts of the Trojans nor did it scratch the 70- 50 train-length lead VSU held with five minutes left in the game.

 

Leading in scoring for the Trojans was #24 Michael Askew. Askew was 11 of 13 from the field and three of four from three-point territory for a game high 25 points. Providing additional offense was #25 Brian Henderson and #5 Rodney Henry each with 13 points and #20 Jamar Fleming with 10 points. Henderson and Askew were both two rebounds shy of a double double as they each took possession of eight total rebounds. Selected Ones’ Historian #3 Le’Greg Harrison and his Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. brother Henry each collected five assists as Askew had the most steals with three.  

 

The Virginia State University Trojans enjoy, but evaluate the victory as they look to execute for a fourth conference win against Winston-Salem State University Rams. Tip-off will be lofted 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!