VIRGINIA STATE UPSETS TOP-SEEDED FALCONS
February 26, 2004
RALEIGH, NC –The combination of a sluggish Falcons start and a red-hot
shooting Virginia State University (15-13) club spelled an early exit from
the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament for No. 1 seeded
Saint Augustine’s College (19-9) Thursday night at the RBC Center in
Raleigh, NC, as the Trojans earned a 75-66 victory.
To the surprise of its hometown fans, SAC came out the gate lethargic, while
the Trojans showed signs of a team that was in rhythm and who played yesterday.
Playing solid defense and out hustling the Falcons to loose balls, VSU jumped
out to an early 13-2 lead.
SAC was not able to score a field goal until five-and-a-half minutes into the
game, when Carlos Gill scored a layup making the score 13-4. The Trojans responded
by reeling off 10 straight points, increasing their lead to 23-4 with just
under 12 minutes left in the first half.
“ We were prepared to play a full 40 minutes, ” Trojan head coach
John Hill said. “We knew they were going to make a run.”
Virginia State would not relinquish the lead, controlling the tempo and forcing
13 Falcon first-half turnovers, and limiting CIAA Player of the Year Desmond
Peoples to two first half points.
Center Avis Wyatt paced the Trojans in the half scoring six and grabbing five
rebounds.
Saint Augustine’s started to turn things around in the second half, chipping
away at VSU’s commanding lead as a Damien Daniels layup pulled the Falcons
within three (55-52) at the 5:14 mark.
This would be as close as SAC would get. Sensing the Falcons surge back, Virginia
State forward Kanandi Hall quieted the SAC fans by nailing two from the line,
ultimately ending the game and the Falcons’ season.
Hall had a solid game finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Wyatt added
18 points, seven boards, and four blocks for the Trojans.
“ Tournament play is all about guys stepping up, making plays, and rising
to the occasion,” said Hill. “Tonight was a perfect example of everybody
stepping up and playing for the moment.”
VSU will meet Virginia Union University in the tourney semifinals Friday at
9:00 p.m.