VSU vs. Fayetteville State University - CIAA Tournament - 3/1/2006

Virginia State busts the Broncos, 78-69

 

(Charlotte, N.C. – March 1, 2006) – Virginia State University’s Michael Askew scored game-high 28 points while the Trojans’ Jahmel Raymond got the first “double-double” of the CIAA Tournament as VSU downed Fayetteville State University 78-69 in first-round action on Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C.

 

Askew hit eight of 13 shots while Raymond had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the win.

 

Virginia State broke on top when Michael Askew drove the baseline for a layup. Fayetteville State’s Clarence Ferguson tied it however with a short jumper with just over 17 minutes left to play. 

 

Askew and Ferguson continued their scoring battle through the first half, with Askew putting State on top with a jumper while Ferguson countered with a layup through the lane.

 

VSU led by as many as five points in the first half, but Fayetteville State fought back, tying the score at 13-13 with 11 minutes left on a jumper by Ferguson and then taking the lead for the first time on a jumper by Phillipé Harris.

 

For the next few minutes, the game see-sawed back and forth, with the lead switching hands seven times before the Trojans finally took charge, surging to a 10-point lead (31-21) with 1:30 left in the half before the Broncos could answer with a three-pointer by DeMarcus Bowden.

 

By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, VSU held a 33-26 lead.

 

VSU continued its charge in the second half, though, again building a 12-point lead (43-21) with 15½ minutes left. 

 

Harris finished with 15 points to lead the Broncos, while FSU’s Ferguson had 12 points and Justin Harris added 10 points.

 

Although the Broncos mounted several small threats, VSU withstood the charges, advancing to the second round of the tournament. Virginia State now faces Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte on Thursday at 9 p.m.