The University of Mount Olive men’s basketball team fell short to the Trojans of Virginia State University 99-95 on Friday on the first day of the 56th Annual Mt. Olive Pickle Classic. This loss takes the Trojans to 0-3 overall. 

INSIDE THE SCORE
Mount Olive took a three-point deficit to open up the contest down 6-3 with 18:06 left in the half. The Trojans took the lead 10-6 with 15:40 left in the first half with a jump shot from Alan Treakle. After nine lead changes, Mount Olive headed into halftime with a five-point lead 50-45.

The second half saw the Trojans score the first three points of the half from Cole Johnson. UMO then took an 11-point lead 59-48 with 17:47 remaining in the contest. The first lead change in the second half occurred with 8:01 remaining when Virginia State took a one-point lead 75-74. After four lead changes, Virginia state took home the four-point win 99-95.

MOUNT OLIVE LEADERS
Treakle led the Trojans with 40 points and four rebounds while Shakei Hines took home six rebounds.

TROJAN LEADERS
The Trojans were led by Francis Fitzgerald with 31 points.

KEY STAT
The Trojans’ mistakes certainly cost them as 16 of Virginia State’s points came off turnovers.
 

UP NEXT
Mount Olive will stay at home in Kornegay Arena for the second day of the Pickle Classic tonight at 7:00PM.