VSU vs. Shaw University - 2/21/2006

 

Raleigh, North Carolina – The Trojans of Virginia State University sped to Spaulding Gymnasium to give the Shaw University Bears a double dose of defeat. Back in mid January, VSU caved the Bears with an 84 – 66 loss. However, tides would turn for the worst for VSU as the Bears reversed results with an 85 – 70 win over the Trojans.

 

After an approximate 10 minute delayed start due to senior night celebrations, VSU and SU took the floor for tip-off. SU’s 2006 All-CIAA team selection #34 James Rosebud began the game with a gym gyrating dunk! However, VSU went up 3 – 2 with a three-point play by #25 Brian “Hang Time” Henderson. The Trojans kept the lead at 6 – 5 with a three-pointer by #24 Michael Askew. SU snuck back to lead 9 – 6 after #4 Daniel Jackson made two free-throws and #3 Jamal Coleman made a fast break lay-up. VSU took thirty seconds to think things over and came out to lead 10 – 9 with an offensive rebound and put back by Henderson and then by #50 Jahmel Raymond. Two two-pointers and a three-pointers gave the Bears a four point lead (16 – 12). VSU’s sophomore standout #20 Jamar Fleming flooded the floor with back-to-back three-pointers to bring the Trojans within one (21 – 20 SU). The Bears built an eight point lead (28 – 20) with two more buckets and their fourth three-pointer. The Trojans’ Askew ascended for two and then #5 Rodney Henry swooshed a three-pointer with two seconds on shot clock and made a jump-step shot on the next possession to chop Bears’ lead in half (32 – 28 SU). Unfortunately, VSU would be held scoreless in the last five minutes of the half. Meanwhile, SU’s struck up a 14 – 0 run to cruise into halftime with a 46 – 28 point margin advantage.

 

From the start of the second, clouds continued to gather for the Trojans. SU prolonged their 14 – 0 run at the end of the first with a 13 – 0 run at the beginning of the second half. 10 of those 13 points were heaved in the hoop by SU’s senior sniper Jackson. VSU’s #23 Mark Adams stopped SU’s surge and the Trojans’ tear-jerking 10 minute scoring drought with a fast break lay-up and free-throw at the 14:58 mark. A three-pointer by the Bear’s #42 Melvin Smith stretched the lead to a Virginia to Georgia gap of 32 points (63 – 31). Head VSU Women’s Basketball Coach Shae Johnson bounced off the bench in glee as the Trojans did not hang their heads in despair, but fought back to be 14 points (72 – 58) shy of tying the game around the four minute mark and then 13 points (81 – 68) with 50 seconds left in the game. After Raymond made three straight, Fleming caught fire to drill in four sun-burning second half three-pointers. The Trojans outscored the Bears 42 – 39 in the second half.

 

Leading in scoring for the Trojans was #20 Jamar Fleming. The 6’0” shooting guard out of Richmond, Virginia rained in six three-pointers en route to a team high 19 points. Providing additional scoring was #24 Michael Askew and #5 Rodney Henry each with 12 points. Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.’s Askew was one rebound short of double double with nine rebounds as Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.’s Henry dished out the most assists with three.

 

 

The Virginia State University Trojans have just one test left before they are administered the final exam also known as the 2006 CIAA Tournament. On Saturday, February 25, 2006, the Trojans take on the Tigers of Saint Paul’s College. The “Senior Night” competition 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!