At the 50th-anniversary Food Lion CIAA Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 1, 2025, the Virginia State men’s basketball team celebrated a well-deserved win.
In the exciting finale of the 2025 CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Trojans competed against Bluefield State. The 4 p.m. final game was tight from beginning to end and featured a lot of back-and-forth action.
Virginia State ultimately prevailed, defeating Bluefield State 71-64 to win their first conference championship in six years.
Jordan Hinds, the CIAA Player of the Year, drove Bluefield State to a strong performance. Hinds made several key baskets that helped the Big Blue establish an early lead as they soon settled into a rhythm. Bluefield State had a seven-point advantage at one time. The Trojans appeared to be trailing due to their shooting and speed, but they refused to give up.
The Trojans’ strong determination helped them recover their footing as the first half went on. A 14–4 run by Virginia State turned out to be critical. In addition to tying the game, the rally gave the Trojans their first lead of the match.
They gained momentum, which resulted in two pivotal free throws from Jacob Cooper that gave them a three-point lead. Cooper would solidify his status as the game’s MVP with an outstanding effort that remained throughout the match. The senior guard’s composure and clutch play were crucial to his team’s success.
Cooper was the top player in the Northern Division going into the competition, and he showed leadership throughout, encouraging his teammates and always leading them to stay ready and be prepared. He was a standout player in a championship game that required as much mental toughness as skill because of his steady scoring and his efforts on the defensive end.
The team’s success this season was largely due to their dedication and hard work, according to Virginia State Men’s Basketball head coach Lonnie Blow Jr.
“It’s good to be a Trojan, so we’re happy about it,” Blow said following the win. “We enjoyed a winning streak after a slow start, but then we suffered three consecutive setbacks. Throughout the season, the mental strength became increasingly evident.”
Blow’s remarks were in line with the feelings of a team who had overcome hardship to win its conference.
This victory represents a major turning point for the Trojans. They not only won their first CIAA championship since 2019, but they also showed progress and resilience as a team.
The 2025 Food Lion CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament highlighted Virginia State’s ability to overcome difficult regular-season defeats and step up when it counted most. Their success was largely due to their willingness to keep focus under pressure and have faith in their game plan.
The Virginia State bench burst into celebration when the final buzzer rang. The Trojans achieved an incredible accomplishment, going from early-season setbacks to championship success. The win will go down as a reminder of their determination, team chemistry, and the leadership of both Coach Blow and MVP Jacob Cooper. The Trojans view the 2025 CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship as a representation of the commitment and dedication that define their program instead of just championships.
