Virginia State Women’s Basketball Defeats UDC Fire Birds, 55-51

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Virginia State University Women's Basketball Team defeated the Fire Birds of University of the District of Columbia on November 28, with a 55-51 victory.  The win improved the Trojans to a 5-1 overall record on the season.

"We had to pick up our energy and support each other as a team," shared junior guard Endia McKinney (Norfolk, VA). "It was about making better choices and communicating, that's what we relied on."

McKinney pioneered the Trojans offensively and led the charge defensively with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Taylor Daniels (Hampton, VA) followed up with 11 points and senior guard Nandi Taylor (Mt. Morris, Michigan) rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10 points.

The Fire Birds were led offensively by Shantrel Oliver who recorded 17 points. NyAsia Anderson followed up with 13 points and led UDC defensively with 13 rebounds.

UDC made a push in the second quarter to erase a 7 point deficit outscoring the Trojans, 15-7, to take a 1 point 24-23 lead into halftime.

In the opening minutes of the third quarter UDC secured their largest lead of the night with VSU trailing by 12.

VSU charged a timeout down 32-23. Shortly after, McKinney put an end to the Trojans scoring drought with her third basket of the night from 3 point range.

Two possessions later, senior guard Joy Hickman (Wilmington, DE) knocked down a shot from behind the arc to cut the UDC lead to 6. Moments later, Daniels went up to score a quick basket, gets the call, and completes the 3 point play to make it a 1 point game.

The Trojans defensive adjustments allowed them to produce offensively, scoring 14 points off of the Fire Birds 16 turnovers. UDC ended the night with only 4 points off of the Trojans 7 turnovers.

VSU worked hard until the final seconds to secure the 55-51 win.

The Trojans shot 28.1 percent (16-57) from the field, 19.4 percent (6-31) from behind the arc, and 70.8 percent (17-24) at the line, while the Fire Birds shot 34 percent (17-50) from the field, 24 percent (6-25) from behind the arc, and 73.3 percent (11-15) at the line.

Traveling to Salem, WV on December 9-10, the Trojans will be taking the court for the Joe Manchin Classic.

VSU is working hard to prepare for the 2017 CIAA Basketball Tournament on February 20-25 in Charlotte. NC.

For more information on VSU Trojans women's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

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