Gaither drops Season High 24 Points in Bears 71-83 loss to Virginia State

January 16, 2007

Raleigh, NC – Cori Gaither (6’5, JR, Forward, Jacksonville, FL) dropped 24 points on the Trojans of Virginia State University ( 11-3; 6-1 CIAA; 2-1 East) who are having their best season since 1975. Gaither also recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds as the Bears of Shaw University (2-12; 0-8 CIAA; 0-3 East) lost to Virginia State 71-83.

In the first, the Bears got off to a slow start but it was not belong before they got things rolling. Shaw shot an outstanding 52% from the floor and 70% form the charity stripe in the first to go into the half down by only two points. Shaw scored 16 points in the paint and nine points off turnovers. The Trojans shot only 48% from the floor, but the turnovers were key for Virginia State as they scored 20 points off the Bears 13 turnovers. Shaw would look for ways to minimize their turnovers in the second half.

After such a great finish to the first half the second half started out like the first. It would take the Bears a while to get things moving the way they wanted. Shaw shot 51% in the second and only 57% from the free-throw line. In the end the Trojans hit more shots than the Bears in a hard 71-83 loss.

Shaw shot 51% over all and scored 34 points in the paint and 20 points off the bench. The key for Virginia State were the turnovers as Shaw had 28 and the Trojans had 18. Jonathan Mudd (6’1, FR, Guard, Miami, FL) stepped up for the Bears with 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the losing effort. Jamar Fleming led the Trojans with 20 points.

The Bears will be back in action on Saturday, January 20th as they take on cross town rivals Saint Augustine’s College. Game time is at 7:30 p.m. and will be played at Broughton High School.