Virginia State’s Lamesha Deal finished with double-double; 19 points and 14 rebounds, but Virginia Union held on for a 57-55 victory over the Trojans eliminating VSU from the 2013 CIAA Tournament.
In an evenly matched game between two familiar foes, turnovers down the stretch ultimately doomed Virginia State. The Trojans shot 27% in the first half and improved to 37% from the field in the second half but 20 total turnovers hindered their momentum. Virginia Union also dominated the paint outscoring the Virginia State 26-12. The Lady Panthers reclaimed the lead at the 17:40 mark in the second half and held on for the win to advance to the next round of the CIAA Tournament.
The Trojans trailed 24-23 at the half to the Lady Panthers. Asyja Smith had six points on two made three-pointers to lead Virginia State’s scoring in the first half of play. Virginia State controlled the pace of play throughout the opening half holding on to a small lead but VUU’S Ashle Freeman nailed a three-pointer with seven seconds left in the half to put the Lady Panthers up by one point heading into the half.
Lamesha Deal poured in 15 of her game-high 19 points all in the second half for the Trojans. She went 7 of 8 from the free-throw line and controlled the boards grabbing eight rebounds in the second half. With the Trojans trailing the Lady Panthers 54-48 with 1:14 left in the game, Lamesha Deal added four points cutting the VUU lead down to (55-52).
The Lady Panthers went to the free-throw line three times in the final 25 seconds of the game. Trailing 56-52, VSU’s Pryncess Tate-Dublin drained a shot from three-point range. The Trojans sent the Lady Panthers to the free-throw line on the next possession with five seconds left in the game.
VUU’s Melyce Brown hit one of her two attempts giving the Lady Panthers a two-point cushion. She missed the second attempt and Alexandria Massado grabbed the rebound then passed it to Da’Shae Jones for a last minute prayer for the Trojans. Time ran out and so did the Trojans season, falling to Virginia Union 57-55.
Alexandria Massado scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Trojans. Lamesha Deal scored a game-high 19 points and Asyja Smith had nine points. The Trojans were eliminated in second round of the CIAA Tournament and finish with a 14-14 overall record.
