Raleigh, NC -  A late Shaw University turnover proved costly as the Virginia State Trojans took advantage of the miscue adding a late basket to escape C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium with a 74-72 victory over the Bears Thursday evening in a CIAA Northern Division bout. 

 Neither team got much separation to start as Shaw (9-8, 5-6 CIAA, 4-3 North) led by just one 7-6 at the first media timeout. Brandon Faison connected on a three-pointer after a VSU (8-13, 5-8 CIAA, 2-5 North) three-point play to give the Bears the lead back at 10-9. Faison stayed hot on offense as his floater found the bottom of the net to give him 9 of the Bears first 12 points. The Bears lead grew to 20-15 with a putback dunk from Gabriel Joseph-Bryan.

Both teams picked up the pace on offense with Corey Rutherford's three from Faison gave Shaw a 31-25 lead forcing a VSU timeout with 3:25 left before the half. VSU answered with a run to cut the Shaw lead to 35-33 with 1:19 remaining in the opening stanza. VSU would take a small 38-37 lead with a shot just before the buzzer.

The Bears came out on fire after the break pushing ahead 44-38 with baskets from Michael Armstrong and Justus Baldwin. Both squads traded baskets making the score 47-42 at the 14:37 media timeout. The Trojans responded with another run to go ahead 55-54 with 10:45 remaining. Faison scored yet again in the lane to give the Bears the 56-55 lead. The Bears locked in after regaining the lead as Josue Kamba layup gave Shaw a 64-58 lead with 5:33 on the clock.

Armstrong gave Shaw a 67-65 lead with a three-point play after VSU took a quick lead after the final media timeout. The Trojans took a 71-70 lead with 1:13 left after cashing in on two free throws. Faison made a pair at the line with 58.3 left giving Shaw the 72-71 lead. On the change of possession, VSU would be called for an offensive foul with 23.5 remaining.

Shaw turned the ball over after a late timeout which allowed VSU to hit a corner three with 7.2 left. Shaw's last-second heave would bounce off the rim allowing VSU to escape with the two-point win.        

Faison paced the Bears with 20 points followed by Armstrong with 16 points and Kamba with 12.

The Bears will now hit the road for the final time of the regular season as they face the Bowie State Bulldogs Saturday, February 12. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m in Bowie, MD.