CIAA Tournament: Lady Trojans, led by Taylor, pick up 65-44 win in CIAA Tournament's opening round

CHARLOTTE, NC - There will be a new CIAA Women's champion. Fayetteville State, the defending CIAA Tournament champion, was defeated 65-44 by Virginia State in the opening round of the 2011 CIAA Tournament on Monday.

The Lady Trojans (18-8), led by All-CIAA selection Rhon'Neshia Taylor's 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, got a measure of redemption by knocking off the Lady Broncos, who had beaten the Lady Trojans in the semifinals of the tournament a year ago. And this one wasn't close.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

WATCH LIVE ACTION FROM THE CIAA TOURNAMENT - CLICK HERE
Women's Basketball: Wedensday, Mar. 1st at 3pm, Virginia State vs. Shaw

Virginia State Lady Trojans win in OT over Shaw Lady Bears

ETTRICK, VA - If the Virginia State women's basketball team was going to reach its lofty goals for the season, the team from Ettrick needed to find a way to rebound after a 63-53 home loss to Winston-Salem State on Thursday.

That is exactly what VSU did in a 74-68 overtime victory over CIAA foe Shaw on Saturday at Daniel Gymnasium. The defending Eastern Division champions overcame an uninspiring shooting performance by outrebounding the Lady Bears 58-44.

The victory meant a little more to VSU coach James Hill, who was an assistant coach on three Shaw CIAA championship teams. Now in his fifth season with VSU, Hill said locking horns with Shaw coach Jacques Curtis still has a special feel.

TAYLOR'S DOUBLE DOUBLE POWERS VSU IN OT WIN

Senior guard, Rhon’Neisha Taylor matched her career best of 23 points in a 74-68 OT win over the Lady Bears of Shaw University in Daniel Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 8. Taylor scored 23 points in back to back CIAA conference games and recorded 11 rebounds. Junior, Pamela Muldrow led the team with 6 assists and Betty Appiah and Mariame Sylla both grabbed 9 rebounds apiece.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VSU Lady Trojans go to work

ETTRICK, VA - While millions of Americans relaxed, belts still loosened, the Virginia State women's basketball team went to work in the second game of the third annual VSU Thanksgiving Classic. After trailing by five at halftime, VSU used its relentless pressure to overtake Saginaw Valley State and run away with a 61-50 victory on Black Friday at Daniel Gymnasium.

The Lady Trojans showed no symptoms of lingering Thanksgiving food comas in the early going as seniors Nia Thompson and Morgan McGill helped guide the home team to a blistering start. Thompson converted a layup in transition to open the scoring and stole the ensuing inbound pass. The 5-10 shooting guard then found a streaking McGill for another easy bucket.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

TODAY'S GAMES: VSU Thanksgiving Classic Games at Daniel Gymnasium
Elizabeth City State vs. Saginaw Valley State, 1:00 p.m.
Claflin vs. Virginia State 3 p.m.