Virginia State seeks last home victory against Bowie State

From Virginia State Athletics

The VSU men’s basketball team prepares for their final home of the 2021-2022 season against the Bulldogs of Bowie State. VSU lost their last five of six matchups after dropping their last one to ECSU, 69-63. The loss drops their conference record to 5-9. Coach Lonnie Blow’s squad currently ranks fourth in points per game (71.5), fourth in three-point percentage (33%), tied for first in the conference in three-pointers made per game (6.8), , third in offensive rebounds per game (12.5), second in assists per game (13.59) and second in assist/turnover ratio (0.91). Francis “BJ” Fitzgerald  is one of the CIAA’s most skilled scorer’s as 17.3 points per contest ranks him fourth in the conference. Fitzgerald also ranks seventh in field goal percentage (45%), third in free throw percentage (80%) and eighth in made three-pointers (40). Terrence Hunter-Whitfield is recognized as one of the greatest second options a team could offer scoring 14.5 points per game, which ranks him seventh in the conference. In the first two games of the New Year, Hunter Whitfield scored a total of 59 points. He is also deadly from the foul line knocking down 75.2% of his free throws, which ranks him seventh in the conference. He also gets it done on the glass as well averaging 7.3 rebounds per game, which also ranks him seventh in the conference. Michael Melvin is currently the conference leader in assists per contest (5.4) and second in assist/turnover ratio (1.8).

Last Time Out

• Terrence Hunter-Whitfield posted his fourth double-double of the season as he posted a game-high 23 points along with 10 rebounds along with two steals.

• Francis “BJ” Fitzgerald finished with 12 points as he also contributed six rebounds, six assists and two steals in the contest.

• The conference assists leader, Michael Melvin, ended with six assists along with a steal and five points.

•  Dajour Rucker added 11 points off the bench while shooting 5-of-10 from the field while and grabbed six rebounds.

• The Trojans forced 14 turnovers while contributing six steals.

Scouting the Bulldogs
Bowie State enters the matchup after losing their last five games, while coming off a, 74-51, loss to Shaw. The Bulldogs have been abysmal on the road this year as they are just 2-11. The Bulldogs average 79 points per game on the season, which ranks them in the middle of the pack in the conference. The squad shoots 42.7% from the field while knocking down 31.8% of their three-pointers. The Bulldogs are certainly not the team you want to put at the charity stripe as they cash in 73.1% of their shots, which ranks them second in the conference. The Bulldogs score their points mostly by way of the three-point shot as they are second in the conference in attempts (488) and made baskets as well (155). BSU has had trouble defending the basket as they give up 75.6 points per contest. The Bulldogs allow their opponents to knock down 46.6% of their shots from the field while allowing 15 free throws per game. While they may have only accounted for five steals per game, their rim protectors make up for it as the team averages three blocks per game. David McCullough is Mr. Everything for his team as he leads the squad in points (291), rebounds (91) and steals (18). McCullough does not compromise his shot selection just because he is the teams’ number one offensive weapon as he shoots 54% from the field.

Series History
The Trojans and Bulldogs are knotted up at 12-12 in matchups dating back to 2009. The Trojans have won five of the last six matchups against BSU. In the previous matchup this season, the Trojans won, 70-67. VSU forced 15 turnovers and shot 42.9% from beyond the arc. Fitzgerald and Antwan Miles scored 21 points each in the contest.

A Win Would…

•  Allow the Trojans to take the lead in the series 13-12

• Extend their winning streak against the Bulldogs to three games

• Give the Trojans their last home win of the 2021-2022 season