VSU Women’s Basketball Stave Off Rams, 89-66

ETTRICK, Virginia – Senior Alexis Smith recorded 27 points to lead Virginia State to a 89-66 victory over the Rams of Winston-Salem State University (5-8, 0-4 CIAA) this evening at the VSU Multipurpose Center. The win snapped a one-game win streak for the Rams.

Senior Keyana Brown chipped in a game-high 18 points and two blocks, while junior Chrisanna Green recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds on the night for VSU as they remain undefeated. Mia Fitts finished the contest with 14 points respectively.

Tiana Edwards paced Winston-Salem State in scoring with 17 points, while Kandace Tate each added 16.

After a fast start for the Rams, the Trojans (13-0, 3-0 CIAA) ended the game with an 89-66 victory in their 2018 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association home opener. With the victory, VSU improves to 13-0 for the first time in school history.

Both teams traded baskets over the first quarter, with the Rams collecting its first ten points from in the opening minutes. The Trojans tied the game at 7:45 with a 3-pointer by Alexis Smith. The game was tied 12-all with 7:33 left in the quarter. The Trojans then secured the lead for the remainder of the quarter. After holding the Rams to 6-for-6 shooting from the floor, VSU used the remaining minutes to end of the quarter to take an 33-12 lead.

Virginia State's full-court press proved to have an effect in the early stages of the second quarter, as Winston-Salem State committed 11 turnovers in the quarter. Despite an attempt by the Rams to cut the lead (52-29), WSSU added 17 points in the second. Tate finished the half with six points to lead the Rams, and Brown recorded 14 points and one steal for the Trojans as VSU secured a 52-29 lead at the intermission.

The teams continued to fight down the stretch, as the Trojans continued to add points on the board to close out the quarter, taking a 75-49 lead over the Rams. After going into the fourth quarter leading, the Trojans added 14 points to collect a 89-66 victory. Despite a rally by the Rams they ended the quarter with 17 points.

Keyana Brown and Dajour Strothers added four points each in the quarter for VSU. With 1:32 remaining, Strothers converted on a layup to put the Trojans ahead by 27 points.

While Virginia State held the overall edge in rebounding (37), Winston-Salem State was able to come away with a 23-22 advantage on the defensive glass, and scored 32 of their points in the paint. The Trojans did hold the Rams to 44 percent shooting for the game, with Brown recorded two blocks to help anchor the defense.

BOX SCORE

Up Next: Virginia State University will host Livingstone College at 2pm at the VSU Multipurpose Center tomorrow.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU women's basketball, please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY TROJANS SPORTS INFORMATION