Jerrell Jordan

Two Offensive Rebounds By Rashad George (No. 4) Were Critical To The Falcons' Victory Over Nationally-Ranked Virginia State

Men's Basketball 12/15/2017 2:15:00 AM Office of Sports Information

SAU Men's Basketball Topples Nationally-Ranked Virginia State 73-66

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 15) – Virginia State University entered Thursday's men's basketball game with an unbeaten record and two national rankings, but Saint Augustine's University never flinched.

Playing at home for the first time in a while, the Falcons were the aggressors in picking up a 73-66 victory at Emery Gymnasium in the CIAA opener on Dec. 14. Competing in familiar surroundings turned out to be the perfect tonic for the Falcons, who handed the Trojans their first loss in impressive fashion.

No one was more impressive than Kasey Bryant (Sr./Raleigh, NC), the Falcons' point guard who led the team with 16 points. Having missed the last two games due to injury, he bounced back in a big way against the Trojans. Bryant headed a patient offensive attack for the Falcons, who shot nearly 45 percent against the nation's second-ranked team in field goal percentage defense.

The Falcons were even hotter in the second half, shooting nearly 50 percent as they built a nice working margin. Their 28-27 halftime lead increased to double digits on several occasions, including a 64-53 lead with 4:20 left on the clock. But the Trojans (0-1 CIAA, 7-1 overall) came roaring back to get within 66-64 after scoring four points on their end of the floor. After a made free throw, the Trojans rebounded the second free throw attempt and swished a three-pointer with 2:21 remaining.

The Falcons (1-0 CIAA, 3-8 overall) needed a big play and they got it from guard Rashad George (Fr./Raleigh, NC). He grabbed two huge offensive rebounds on the next possession, and his second rebound led to his follow shot for a 68-64 lead with 1:29 remaining in the contest.

The score was 68-65 after the Trojans canned a free throw with 38 seconds left, and they regained possession two seconds later when the Falcons lost the ball out-of-bounds after rebounding the second free throw attempt.

The Trojans had a chance to tie with a three-pointer, but the inbound pass on their baseline was errant, and Byrant chased down the loose ball near midcourt. With no one in front of him, the Falcons' guard scored a layup for a 70-65 lead. Bryant later added two free throws for a 72-66 lead with 29 seconds left. After the Trojans misfired on a three-point attempt, D.J. Harrison (Jr./Winston-Salem, NC) put the finishing touch on the win with a free throw at the 16-second mark.

Though the Trojans had the national acclaim, it was the Falcons who set the tone with their grinding style of play. They were deliberate on offense – often running down the shot clock before shooting the ball – and stifling on defense. The Trojans, ranked 17^th in the NABC Coaches Poll and 11^th in the D2SIDA National Poll, struggled offensively as they shot 32.8 percent.

Quincy January (Sr./Atlanta, GA) anchored the backline of the Falcons' defense. His presence and leaping ability caused several Trojans to miss close-range shots. He finished the night with another double-double – 12 points and 10 rebounds – before fouling out late. He now has 43 career double-doubles which ranks him tied for third among active Division II players.

Morrow played a key role off the bench, scoring 13 points and dishing out four assists. Kenneth Collins (Sr./Clayton, NC) also gave the Falcons a lift with eight points and five rebounds in a reserve role. George was solid with nine points and five rebounds and CIAA Newcomer of the Week Tyre Gathright (Jr./Wilmington, NC) added seven points before fouling out.

Overall, the Falcons took the fight to the Trojans for their first home victory of the season. The win was the second in a row over the Northern Division squad and gave Head Coach MarQus Johnson his second straight win over Trojans' Head Coach Lonnie Blow, Jr., who was the Falcons' head coach during their 2010 CIAA title run. Johnson was an assistant coach on that squad.

The Falcons will need that same effort on Saturday, Dec. 16, against Elizabeth City State University at home. This will be the second meeting between both schools with the Falcons picking up a 58-52 non-conference victory in the VUU Thanksgiving Classic in late November. Tipoff on Saturday is 4 p.m. at Emery Gymnasium.

Print Friendly Version