Virginia State women’s hoops looks to send senior class out with last home win

Courtesy Virginia State Athletics

The VSU women’s basketball team returns to action fresh off a rough outing against ECSU where the squad was held scoreless through the final two minutes of the game. This allowed the Vikings to sneak away with the win, 55-53. The Trojans will have extra motivation in their next matchup, as the squad will look to take down the Bulldogs of Bowie State on Senior Day. Coach James Hill Jr.’s squad ranks nationally in forced turnovers per game averaging 21.71 (25^nd) and 14^th in turnover margin (6.04). VSU is also fourth in the conference in points allowed per game (59), first in free throw percentage (72.3%), first in turnover margin (5.85), first in assist/turnover ratio (0.89), third in steals (267) and first in assists (366). Kaaliya Williams is currently ranked sixth in free throw percentage (77%), tied for first in rebounding (182) and third behind Leaks in points (339). Valerie Samuel leads the conference in assists (108) and in assist/turnover ratio (2.1). Samuel is fourth in steals with 50. Natalia Leaks is currently fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (42%), first in free throw percentage (90%), second in points (353) and fourth in assists (66). Sommer Blakemorecurrently ranks second in the conference in steals and 15^th in the nation (62), ninth in three-pointers made (31) and fifth in assists (65). Shayla Sweeney worked her way into the conference leader board, as she is 10th in blocks with 13 and sixth in free throw percentage (76%)

          Last Time Out

• Shayla Sweeney and Kaaliya Williams posted an identical 15 points and six rebounds in the contest. Sweeney went 5-of-8 from the field while contributing a steal while Williams added two assists.

•  Natalia Leaks posted nine points along with five boards, two assists and a steal. 

•   Valerie Samuel and Sommer Blakemore both ended with seven points in the contest. Samuel posted her twelfth game with at least five assists along with three steals as Blakemore added two assists and a steal as well.

•    The Trojans held ECSU to just 32% from the field and 18% from three-point range but allowed them to shoot 25 free throws.

Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs of Bowie State enters play fresh off their biggest win of the year beating Shaw by 27 points to earn their ninth conference victory of the year. BSU is currently 4-7 on the road this season as they make their way down to the MPC. Offensively, the Bulldogs struggle with efficiency from the field shooting 35% from the field while shooting 32% from beyond the arc which ranks them second in the conference. The squad struggles from the line shooting 61% from the foul line while hitting a conference low 243 free throws this season. The Bulldogs do however, take care of the basketball as they are +1.0 in the turnover margin while averaging 17.5 turnovers per contest. On the defensive end, BSU is -5.5 in scoring margin allowing opponents to score 59.5 points per game. BSU forces 18.5 turnovers per contest while averaging 16 points per contest off turnovers. Katerra Myers is the team leader in points, rebounds and steals. Myers ranks fifth in the conference in rebounds with 160 (7.3 per game). Myers averages 10 points per game while shooting 46% from the field. Drew Calhoun is the sharp shooter of the team as she ranks second in the conference in three-pointers made with 2.1. 

Series History

The Trojans are 15-13 against the Bulldogs dating back to 2009. Unfortunately, VSU has now lost the last four matchups against BSU. The Trojans lost the most recent matchup, 63-57, in overtime earlier in the season as VSU was outscored 14-8 in the overtime period.

        A Win Would…

•  Put an end to a four-game losing streak against the Bulldogs

• Get the squad back on track after dropping their last two by two possessions or less

• Allow the Trojans to end their season 9-6 at home