LADY TROJANS ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND WITH WIN OVER LIVINGSTONE
February 25, 2008
Charlotte, NC – The Virginia State University Lady Trojans
(eighth seed) eliminated the Lady Blue Bears of Livingstone College
(ninth seed) Monday night 54-49 in the opening round of the 33rd
Annual CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament from the Charlotte
Bobcats Arena.
These two teams split their regular season series (1-1).
Livingstone won the initial match-up 64-63 in overtime, while VSU
earned a 47-43 victory in the second contest. Both teams won on
their home floor, but the third and most significant game was
decided on a neutral court.
At the half, the Lady Blue Bears were up 23-18. The low scoring
first half should have come as no surprise to those who follow the
two teams. Livingstone averaged 54.4 points per game in the regular
season and the Lady Trojans only managed a slightly better average
at 58.8 ppg.
Neither squad shot well from the floor. VSU shot 20 percent
(4-of-20) from the field, led by All-CIAA junior guard Katania
Walker’s six first half points. Livingstone’s senior
center Lina Brown led all scorers at the half with eight points,
along with seven rebounds. The Lady Blue Bears only shot 25.9
percent (7-of-27) from the floor, but out-rebounded Virginia State
25-to-18. The Lady Trojans also outscored Livingstone 6-to-2 in
second chance opportunities and 8-to-2 inside the paint.
The contest remained close throughout much of the second half.
There were 14 ties and 17 lead changes in this match-up. The Lady
Trojans were able to pull away and maneuver themselves to victory
by converting 18 points off 23 Livingstone turnovers.
Virginia State’s junior forward Eugenna Carson produced a
double-double performance with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Walker
finished with 11 points and six rebounds for VSU.
Despite the loss, Brown capped off a double-double for Livingstone
pulling down 15 rebounds and scoring 14 points.
Virginia State advances in the tournament to face the first seed,
Shaw University (18-11). Shaw was victorious in both regular season
meetings. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm on Tuesday, February 26th
inside the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.