Richmond, Virginia – The Trojans of Virginia State University voyaged to VCU’s Siegel Center to play the Panthers of Virginia Union University in the “unofficial” Freedom Classic. The (18 – 3, 11 – 2)  South Atlantic Region and NABC 1^st ranked Panthers held just a two point lead at halftime, but stormed into the second half to defeat the (6 – 17, 5 – 6) Trojans 74 – 58.

 

VSU was the first to jump on the scoreboard with a lay-up by #25 Brian Henderson. After sophomore sniper #24 Michael Askew hit his first three-pointer, #23 Mark Adams made a fast break lay-up and a jumper to give the Trojans a 9 – 8 lead. VUU regained the lead 13 – 11 with a three-pointer by #24 Quincy Smith and a powerful put back by #30 Chris Greene. Trojan #3 Le’Greg Harrison’s back to back three-pointers tied the game at 17 – 17 with 12 minutes remaining. VUU’s #3 Duan Crockett cruised into double figures at the 9:55 mark with an unbelievable baseline bucket to hoist the Panthers up 21 - 18. VUU got two from #40 Darius Hargrove, but lost grips on its five point (25 – 20) after #5 Rodney Henry tickled the twine from behind the three-point line and Harrison dismantled the defense with a swift no-look pass to Henderson for the lay-up. Entrepreneur Harrison fired in his fourth three-pointer just under the five minute mark to give the Trojans a 28 – 27 lead. However, the Panthers’ #12 Maurice Manning completed a three-point play to give VUU a 30 – 28 halftime lead.

 

The Trojans started the second half with a lean-in jumper by Henry and then an offensive put back and a thunderous throw-down by #50 Jahmel Raymond. The 6’7” junior from Randallstown, MD took possession of defensive rebound and then hustled up the hardwood to knock down a shot at the baseline. In spite of this, VUU shut off VSU’s sprinkler scoring system to drown the Trojans in a 17 – 0 scoring flood. Trojan Askew’s two long shots from the three-point trench only caused temporary interference in the Panthers scoring storm. VUU’s Crockett continued to walk on water as he was nine of 11 from the field and five of seven from the free throw line. The Thomas Jefferson High School alumnus air attacked the VSU defense for 23 points and bombed any chance for the Trojans to complete a comeback with his last six points via two back to back three-point plays.

 

Leading in scoring for the Trojans was #24 Michael Askew with 14 points. Additional scoring was provided by #3 Le’Greg Harrison with 12 points and #50 Jahmel Raymond with eight points. “Mr. 757” #5 Rodney Henry etched his name in VSU record books with his three steals for a career achievement of 124 total steals; tying the legendary Trojan Basketball icon Mr. Darrell Stith.

 

 

The Virginia State University Trojans will host the Bowie State University Bulldogs on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. The Valentine’s Day match-up will feature a halftime highlight rewarding Mr. Darrell Stith, VSU’s all time leading scorer, with the retirement of his jersey.

 

 

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!