bears topped by trojans
Shaw Slips To Sixth Straight
Loss; Still in Search of First CIAA Feat
January 15, 2007 – Petersburg, VA – The Shaw University Bears were transported to Daniel Gymnasium for their dual with the Trojans of Virginia State University. Despite possessing a 33 – 31 halftime lead, the Bears dropped their sixth straight loss as the Trojans defeated Shaw, 79 – 71.
Shaw was successful in scoring the first field goal after the tip-off. The offensive rebound and lay-up by #30 Damola Obadina (Forward / 6 – 5 / 225 lbs / Senior / Minneapolis, MN) was matched with an offensive rebound and layup by #20 Terrell Crockett. The home team took flight to a 7 – 2 lead with a three-pointer by #3 Trey Mines and a jumper by #12 Jamar Fleming. The Bears had a score by Obadina and one by Graham, but still trailed 12 – 8 with 14 minutes to go. At the 10:53 mark, the Bears battled back to be within five again, 17 – 12. Three minutes later, the Trojans fattened their point margin advantage to eleven, 25 – 14. The Bears readjusted their opponents lead to five, 28 – 23 VSU, with a rained in three-pointer by #3 Jonathan Mudd (Guard / 6 – 1 / 170 lbs / Miami, FL) and #1 Will “Takeover” Graham (Guard / 5 – 10 / Junior / Minneapolis, MN) went two of two from the free throw line. With less than a minute to go in the first half, the Bears bumped the back of VSU’s offensive vehicle as they were within one, 28 – 27, nifty pass to #21 Brandon Greene (Forward / 6 – 6 / 210 lbs / Slidell, LA) resulted in a lay-up. On the Bears’ next possession, Graham rifled a pass to #11 John Douros (Guard / 6 – 2 / 180 lbs / Raleigh, NC) for a nothing but net three-pointer; which awarded Shaw with its first lead of the game (30 – 28). Seconds later, VSU responded with their own behind the arc basket via Mines to re-take the lead 31 – 30. Graham sped upcourt with haw’s final first half possession to find an awaiting Mudd as he connected on his second three-pointer of the game sending the Bears into halftime with a 33 – 31 lead.
The second half did not exactly start off on the right paw for the Bears as Shaw was charged with two offensive fouls. Meanwhile, the Trojans would voyage on an 9 – 0 scoring run to lead 40 – 33. Shaw’s first successful field goal did not occur until four minutes into the half; which was a lean-in jumper by #00 Cori Gaither (Forward / 6 – 5 / Senior / Jacksonville, FL). Gaither would be the go-to-guy on the next three consecutive possessions. VSU paced in the forefront of the Bears 47 – 42 with 13:39 remaining. In the next two minutes, the Trojans managed to push their lead back to ten, 55 – 45. The Bears continued to slice and dice their point deficit as Shaw trailed just by four. That is until VSU’s Fleming made back to back three-pointer to give the Trojans back their double digit lead, 69 – 59 VSU. Before the Bears could blink twice, Fleming was credited with yet another three-pointer. Shaw’s valid effort to complete their comeback was marked as “void” as the Trojans sunk multiple free throws in the close of the game.
Leading the Bears in scoring was #1 Will Graham with a career and game high 25 points (three rebounds / seven assists / one steal). Providing additional scoring #30 Damola Obadina with 17 points (four rebounds). There was a three way tie for top rebounder as #00 Cori Gaither, Obadina, and #42 Dominick Allen all tallied four rebounds each.
The Shaw University Bears will return to Raleigh as they will play against cross-town rival, Saint Augustine’s College on Saturday, January 19, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. The competition will take place in Broughton High School Gymnasium.
