Virginia State faces Fairmont State in Atlantic Region Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS. Indiana  --  The Virginia State University Trojans men's basketball team were the sleeping giants of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Entering the season ranked fourth in the CIAA pre-season poll, the Trojans put together an impressive season, finding themselves as the Northern Division and CIAA Tournament Champions.

The No. 6 seed Trojans (23-5) will take on the No. 3 seed Falcons (25-4) of Fairmont State a member of the Mountain East Conference on Saturday, March 12.  The NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament host will be the No. 1 seed, the Cardinals of Wheeling Jesuit University.

The Trojans topped Livingstone College, 89-79, in the CIAA Championship game and earned the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region tournament. Twenty-four NCAA Division II conferences automatically qualify their champions a place on the post season bracket.  The Atlantic Region is made up of three conferences, the CIAA, Penns
ylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and the Mountain East Conference (MEC).

The Trojans have reached the NCAA Tournament (Big Dance) 3-times in modern era (1982, 1988, 2016). Reaching the tournament is a triumph for the Virginia State University Trojans. Since arriving at Virginia State in 2013, third-year head coach Lonnie Blow, Jr. along with his staff have built a profound program for the history books.

For more information on VSU Trojans men's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @vsusports, or call 804-524-6831.

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION