peters vs christendom
Randall K. Wolf

Men's Basketball

VMI to host Penn State New Kensington

Game Notes | Game Program

LEXINGTON, Va. – Looking to head into Christmas Furlough with a win, the VMI basketball team will host Penn State New Kensington for a rare Friday afternoon contest at 12 p.m. at Cameron Hall.
 
Youths wearing a t-shirt or gear from Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization (RARO) will receive free admission to the game, and tickets for adults are just $5.00.
 
Purchase tickets
 
Fans will also have the opportunity to donate personal hygiene items to RARA (Rockbridge Area Relief Association). A large box will be set in the front lobby for the items to be placed prior to the game. Recommended items to donate include shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, tampons/pads, soap, toiletries, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
 
Broadcast Information
VMI vs. Penn St. New Kensington – Friday, Dec. 22 – 12 pm          Watch on ESPN+ | Live Stats
 
 
QUICK HITS
* The Keydets are coming off a 49-68 loss on the road to former Big South rival Longwood
* VMI is the top rebounding team in the Southern Conference, ranking first in rebounds per game (39.8),
including third in defensive (28.6) and fourth in offensive boards per game (11.3).
* Taeshaud Jackson II is the primary force in rebounding, averaging 10.1 per game for third most in the SoCon
* Freshman Stephen Olowoniyi is second on the team in rebounding with 6.3 per game, 10th best in the league
* Junior Brennan Watkins ranks first in the league in free-throw shooting at .912 (31/34) from the charity stripe. He also ranks ninth in the SoCon in 3PT field goals/game (2.4) and ninth overall in the league individual standings in scoring (15.3)
 
VMI vs. Penn State New Kensington Series History (1-0)
Friday's game marks just the second all-time meeting between the schools after meeting for the first time on November 10, 2022. The game resulted in a commanding 100-58 win for the Keydets at Cameron Hall and marked Coach Wilson's first career win at VMI and as a head coach.
 
A WIN OVER PENN STATE NEW KENSINGTON WOULD ...
--- Be VMI's second straight win over the Nittany Lions and improve to 2-0 in the all-time series dating back to 2022
--- Be VMI's third win of the season and snap a five-game losing streak
 
LAST TIME OUT - December 17, 2023 - Longwood 68, VMI 49 - Farmville, Va.
    Ahead 18-16 in the first half and trailing by just three at halftime, 26-29, the VMI basketball team could not sustain its momentum as Longwood University pulled away in the second half for a 68-49 victory over the Keydets Sunday afternoon at Joan Perry Brock Center in Farmville, Virginia.
    The Keydets (2-10) held the Lancers (12-1) to just 34 percent shooting in the opening half (13/38 FGs), but Longwood shot 52 percent (18/34) in the second stanza to earn the home victory. The Lancers ramped up their defense, forcing 27 VMI turnovers throughout the contest including 15 steals. With VMI trailing by just one at the 13:20 mark of the second half, the Lancers went on a 20-1 run by holding VMI five minutes without a basket to pull away.
     VMI was led by freshman Tyran Cook, who scored 14 points. Senior Devin Butler logged a season-high 12 points.
 
LAST TIME vs. PENN STATE NEW KENSINGTON - Nov. 10, 2022 - VMI 100, PS New Kensington 58 - Lexington, Va.
     The VMI men's basketball team rolled to a 100-58 victory over Penn State New Kensington on Nov. 10, 2022, in the Keydets' 2022-23 home opener. It was the first victory for new head coach Andrew Wilson at the helm of the program.
      Freshmen guards Asher Woods (22) and Tony Felder, Jr. (20) each broke the 20-point barrier and posted career-high point totals. VMI turned a 10-9 lead into a 23-11 advantage after a 13-2 run, and the Keydets led 51-33 at intermission and quickly used a 17-2 run to blow the game open 68-35 early in the second half.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Devin Butler

#11 Devin Butler

G
6' 2"
Junior
Brennan Watkins

#1 Brennan Watkins

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Tony Felder, Jr.

#10 Tony Felder, Jr.

G
5' 10"
Freshman
Taeshaud Jackson II

#2 Taeshaud Jackson II

G
6' 4"
Freshman
Asher Woods

#3 Asher Woods

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Tyran Cook

#0 Tyran Cook

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Stephen Olowoniyi

#10 Stephen Olowoniyi

F
6' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Devin Butler

#11 Devin Butler

6' 2"
Junior
G
Brennan Watkins

#1 Brennan Watkins

5' 11"
Sophomore
G
Tony Felder, Jr.

#10 Tony Felder, Jr.

5' 10"
Freshman
G
Taeshaud Jackson II

#2 Taeshaud Jackson II

6' 4"
Freshman
G
Asher Woods

#3 Asher Woods

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Tyran Cook

#0 Tyran Cook

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Stephen Olowoniyi

#10 Stephen Olowoniyi

6' 8"
Freshman
F