The Virginia State University women’s basketball team turned defense into offense Saturday, forcing 29 turnovers and converting them into 38 points in a 74-53 home victory over Emory & Henry. 

After trailing at halftime, the Trojans erupted in the third quarter with a decisive 27-0 run that flipped the game and sent Virginia State (8-3) cruising the rest of the way. The surge turned a four-point halftime deficit into a commanding 60-37 lead late in the third. 

Virginia State placed four players in double figures, led by Maya Ellis with 18 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Kendahl Spearman added 14 points off the bench, while Tamia Darden finished with 10 points and two steals. 

The Trojans’ pressure defense set the tone throughout, holding Emory & Henry to 35.2% shooting and repeatedly disrupting its offense. Virginia State committed 18 turnovers but consistently capitalized on the Wasps’ miscues, creating easy scoring opportunities in transition. 

On the glass, the Trojans controlled the paint, outrebounding Emory & Henry 44-35. Virginia State collected 17 offensive rebounds, led by Michaela Lane’s six, and turned those extra possessions into 15 second-chance points. 

The Trojans fell behind early, facing an 11-2 deficit in the opening quarter, but trimmed the margin to 21-19 by the end of the period. Emory & Henry maintained a narrow edge into halftime, leading 37-33. 

Virginia State opened the second half with relentless energy, scoring 18 of its 27 third-quarter points in the paint. The Trojans later extended the lead to 74-47 on a late 5-0 run capped by an Ellis 3-pointer, putting the game out of reach. 

Virginia State’s bench accounted for 51 points in the win. 

The Trojans return to action at Livingstone College on Thursday, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.