VSU vs. Saint Augustine's College - Breast Cancer Awareness                                   

                                                                          BYE BYE BIRDIES! 

 

Petersburg, Virginia – The CIAA Western Division’s #1 ranked Saint Augustine’s College Falcons flew first class to contest the Virginia State University Trojans. VSU had four finishers in double figures to surpass SAC 92 – 89.

 

In the beginning of the first half, SAC’s #13 Barry Jones hit a three-pointer, but VSU’s #24 Michael Askew rapidly responded with a three-pointer as well. The compact crowd rioted in an uproar after #5 Rodney Henry completed a three-point play and then raced down court to receive a rifled rebound from #25 Brian Henderson for a lay-up. Henry’s fast break bucket gave VSU a 10 – 9 lead. Seconds later, #3 Le’Greg Harrison slip and slides an assist to Henderson for a lay-up. Nevertheless, SAC stumbled back to lead 21 – 14 via two three-pointers by #20 Antonio Fitzgerald and one by #22 Nicholas King. The Trojans were down three (2 9 – 26 SAC) after honorary Harlem Globetrotter #33 Aubrey Brown dished a nifty no-looker to Henderson for a top ten dunk and then to #42 Cohen Burnette for two. The Trojans trailed 34 – 35 after Henry hooked up with Blue Phi Brother Harrison for a three-pointer just prior to making two free-throws. Around the four minute mark, VSU led 40 – 39 after Henderson helicoptered for an offensive rebound and quickly tossed in two. The Danville, VA native scored on the very next possession with an assist from Burnette. Before the close of the half, Henderson hit his fourth straight free-throw to finalize at a fiery 14 points to give the Trojans a 48 – 42 half-time lead.

 

From a quick glance at the freshly printed first half stat sheet, it would be safe to say VSU could motor in cruise control in the second half. Despite only hitting two of seven three-point attempts (28.6%), the Trojans shot a scorching 61.3% (19 of 31) field goal percentage and a level orange 100% (eight of eight) from the free-throw line. Askew hit a jumper and #22 Michael Johnson hit one of three three-pointers. However, SAC scored on three straight possessions to trail 55 – 51. SAC’s #25 Claude Neeley made two free-throws and a jumper to give the Falcons a 59 – 58 lead. The Trojans took the lead back when Harrison spun the Falcons dizzy with a merry-go-round assist he ever so smoothly slipped to #23 Mark Adams for a lay-up. VSU went up 67 – 61 after Adams dialed from deep with his first and only three-pointer. Just under the eight minute mark, Johnson hit his third three-pointer with three seconds on the shot clock to give the Trojans a 74 – 68 point margin advantage. The Falcons hawked back to be within three (77 – 74 VSU) with a three-pointer and three-point play by Fitzergerald. SAC was down only one (81 – 80 VSU) after King knocked down a jumper and hit two free-throws. The Falcons had the opportunity to tie or even take the lead but King failed to produce on his last two charity stripe visits. The Trojans’ Askew hit a jumper just before Henry rushed ahead of the Falcon defense to make a lay-up. SAC’s Neeley was an answered prayer for the Falcons’ feeble hearts as he kept his team alive with a baseline boom and towering three-pointer with seven seconds left in the game tied the game at 89 – 89. Faithful fans of VSU crossed fingers and peeked through slightly opened eyelids as Harrison the “dribbling machine” dissected the SAC defense and dished a dart to an anxious Henry. Henry released a rainbow that was awarded was a standing ovation once it hit nothing but net with one-eighths of a second remaining in the game.

 

The Trojans’ #5 Rodney Henry animatedly ascended atop the statistics table after nailing the game winning three-pointer. Henry led all VSU scorers with a team high 18 points. Additional scoring was provided by #25 Brian Henderson with 17 points, #24 Michael Askew with 13 points, #23 Mark Adams with 12 points, and #22 Michael Johnson with 11 points. Entrepreneur #3 Le’Greg Harrison was crowned the Assist King as he collected a game high 10 assists of the team’s 21 assists and compared to the visiting team’s 14 total assists.  

 

The Virginia State University Trojans will hit the road until Tuesday, February 14, 2006 when they host the Bowie State University Bulldogs. Meanwhile, VSU will take the win to Durham, NC as they attempt to electrify the Eagles of North Carolina Central University. The game will begin 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!