Virginia State University Men’s Basketball Team Triumphantly Reclaims CIAA Championship Title

BALTIMORE, MD – Virginia State University clinched the CIAA Championship with a 71-64 win over Bluefield State at CFG Bank Arena on Saturday. Under head coach Lonnie Blow, the Trojans fought hard to reclaim the title for the first time since 2019.

“I’m really proud of these young men,” Blow said. “Our season had its ups and downs. We started slow at 1-3, then hit a winning streak. We faced some challenges in conference play but rallied to finish strong. Our momentum carried us into the tournament.”

The Trojans, with a record of 21-8 and 12-3 in the CIAA, excelled on defense, holding Bluefield State (19-11, 10-6 CIAA) to nearly 30 points below their season average. Virginia State dominated rebounding, outpacing Bluefield State 52-38. Jayson Harris and Davian Coleman each recorded 12 rebounds, limiting Bluefield to one shot per possession.

“Our defense was huge,” Blow noted. “We focused on making them play against our half-court defense. We wanted to make them work for every basket, and I think we succeeded.”

The game was intense, featuring nine lead changes. Virginia State held a slim 36-35 lead at halftime. In the second half, Jacob Cooper stepped up with 16 points and eight assists. Jared White scored seven of his 11 points in the critical closing minutes, including a three-pointer that secured the lead for good.

A key moment came when Jaedan Jefferson electrified the crowd with a fast-break dunk, which shifted the momentum firmly towards the Trojans. “Jaden is my guy,” Cooper said. “I always tell him to be ready for the moment, and today he was. He believed we wouldn’t lose, and that mindset fueled us all.”

This championship held special meaning for Coach Blow as he dedicated the victory to former athletic director Peggy Davis, who passed away in October. “Miss Davis brought me to Virginia State,” he reflected. “I know she’s smiling down on us. This championship is for her.”

Looking ahead, Virginia State University now focuses on the NCAA Division II Tournament, eager to extend their success. “We’ll take a day to celebrate and then get back to practice,” Blow said. “This win is special, but our journey isn’t over yet.”

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