VSU Trojans Take Third Consecutive Win at Annual Freedom Classic

RICHMOND, Virginia -- The VSU men's basketball team took down the Virginia Union University Panthers for the third consecutive year at the annual Freedom Classic on January 18. The final score was 64-45.

The Trojans currently have a 11-5 overall record, 5-2 in the CIAA conference.

VSU shot 45.7 percent (21-46) from the field, 35.0 percent (7-20) from behind the arc and 75.0 percent (15-20) from the free throw line.

Senior Lamar Kearse took the helm of the game in scoring with 16 points while collecting 7 rebounds. Bringing in his fourth double-double of the season was senior Tyrece Little with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Both Trojans credit their teammates for having a great game.

The beginning of the first half started off slow for the Trojans. The Panthers leading scorer D'Andre Bullard made several baskets for his team, putting them up by five points. Sophomore Jamison Jeffers set the tone for the Trojans with two back-to-back shots from behind the arc. Kearse rounded out the half with a 3 pointer. VSU was in the lead at halftime with a score of 27-17.

VSU kept the lead and did not look back in the second half.  Basket after basket by the Trojans left the Panthers in the dust. Little wowed the crowd with a dunk as the team celebrated an early victory with 4:29 left in regulation. The Trojans finished the game with a final score of 64-45, a 19 point lead. VSU Head coach Lonnie Blow credits the "energizing shots" at the end of the first half for the great momentum in the second half.

The Trojans secured 13 points off of turnovers and 20 points in the paint.

The VSU men will go up against the Chowan University Hawks on Wednesday, January 21 in Daniel Gymnasium. In honor of gender equity and Title IX, tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the VSU men's program, visit www.govsutrojans.com.

Box Score

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION