Hassan scores 25, helps Savannah State hold off NAIA’s Virginia-Wise in 68-57 win

Savannah State beats Virginia-Wise 68-57

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Rashad Hassan scored 25 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots to lead Savannah State in a 68-57 win over Virginia-Wise on Sunday.

Tracy Rankins added 15 points for the Tigers (4-3), who outrebounded Virginia-Wise 33-20 in the Skip Prosser Tournament.

Hassan finished 10-for-14 from the floor and Rankins went 6-for-11.

The Tigers outscored Virginia-Wise, an NAIA team, 28-19 in the paint. Savannah State’s bench outscored Virginia-Wise 24-0.

Savannah State actually trailed by two with just under 4 minutes left in the first half, but a 5-0 run gave the Tigers a 30-27 halftime lead.

Virginia-Wise fought back, pulling even at 44-all with 9:34 left on Pance Kecev’s jumper. But a Rankins jumper sparked a 7-0 run, and they never looked back.

Kecev paced Virginia-Wise with 22 points.