Raleigh, NC. – The Saint Augustine's women's basketball team suffered a tough CIAA home-opening contest to the Virginia State Trojans 72-39. The Trojans controlled the game from the opening tip beginning on a 9-0 run, which included three 3-pointers. Trojans senior guard, Sommer Blakemore scored a career-high 32 points on the night. She was a star on both ends of floor as she added five steals as she and the Trojans took advantage of SAU's starting point guard, Dasmine Kasey sidelined due to an ankle injury. The Lady Falcons were able to keep it close in the first quarter, ending the period down five, 16-11.
The Lady Trojans slowly built its lead heading into halftime up 15, 38-23. VSU officially closed the door in the fourth quarter as it went on a 14-0 run to start the quarter. The Lady Falcons' shooting woes troubled them all night as it went on a 7:56 scoring drought in the fourth quarter (first field goal 8:28 in the fourth, last field goal :32 remaining).
Taniyah Greene led the Lady Falcons on the night with 18 points and six rebounds.
Head Coach Ebony Tanner Postgame Comments
"It was a tough night in Emery. Things didn't go the way we wanted to go, but we definitely did some things that we need to get better at. [Sommer Blakemore] was a right-hand driver, and that's what she did. She was able to knock down 3-pointers in the beginning of the game. Besides that, her points came off layups and mid-range shots. We tried different people on her, we just weren't able to get her to stop. We're looking for [Dasmine Kasey] to be back for our game on Saturday. When she's not there, we're running point guard by committee. She's our eyes out there."
TEAM STATS
- The Lady Falcons' loss to Virginia State is its first conference loss of the season
- SAU struggled from the field primarily in the fourth quarter going 2-15 (13.3%)
- The Lady Falcons shot five free throws compared to 15 by VSU (-10)
- SAU had 27 turnovers on the night with VSU surrendering 15
- Taniyah Greene and Christionna Faison shot a combined 12-18 (66.7%) while the rest of the team shot 6-38 (15.8%)
UP NEXT
- The Lady Falcons will host its second conference opponent Elizabeth City State University Saturday, Dec. 17
- Tipoff is set for 2:00 PM ET
For all the latest information on the team, follow SAU_WBB on Twitter. General athletic news can be found @SAUFalcons on Twitter.
