The 32nd Annual CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
– First Round Charlotte, N.C.
STRONG SECOND HALF LIFTS VIRGINIA STATE OVER VIRGINIA
UNION
February 26, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Virginia State University overcame a
sluggish start and a six-point halftime deficit to defeat Virginia
Union University, 57-46, in the first round of the 32nd annual CIAA
Women’s Basketball Tournament inside Bobcats Arena in
Charlotte, N.C.
Virginia State senior center Monique Mason led the way with 18
points and a game-high 16 rebounds for her 10th double-double of
the season. She collected 14 points and nine boards during the
decisive second stanza.
Mason’s inside play complimented the Lady Trojans outside
shooting, which proved critical following the break. After hitting
just 2-of-14 from long range in the opening 20 minutes, VSU nailed
5-of-11 three-point field goals in the second half.
VSU guards Katania Walker and Jana’e Johnson accounted for
five of the team’s seven triples. Walker finished with 13
points, five assists and three steals, while Johnson added 11
points three steals, three rebounds and two assists.
“We are not a one dimensional team,” said VSU’s
Mason. “We can go inside and outside. One compliments the
other.” Virginia Union was paced by junior guard Andrea
Colbert with a game-high 19 points, while junior forward Katchona
Johnson contributed 13 points and seven rebounds.
Trailing 22-16 at intermission, VSU used a lay-up by Mason and a
pair of three-pointers by Walker and Johnson to quickly even the
score at 24-24 with 15:27 on the clock.
The two teams exchanged the lead twice and battled through two ties
before another three-point basket by Walker put the Lady Trojans on
top for good at the 10:02 mark.
VUU pulled to within one point at 37-36 following a lay-up by
Johnson with 5:16 remaining, but VSU responded by scoring seven
unanswered points, capped by a bomb by Johnson with 2:26 left.
The Lady Trojans calmly sank 9-of-10 free throws in the final
minute to seal the victory.
“It was a slow game,” said VSU head coach James Hill.
“I told the team that we needed to be patient and try to stay
within 10 points by halftime. It was just a matter of settling
down, then our shots started falling.” Virginia State
improves to 9-19 and advances to play the tournament’s top
seed North Carolina Central University (22-5) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Virginia Union ends its season with a record of 8-18.