SLIPPERY ROCK — Bobby McGraw drew a laugh from the Slippery Rock University women's basketball team as he scribbled out Virginia State from the center of a target they put on the white board 76 days ago.

The second-year coach wanted to place Chowan University, The Rock's next opponent, in SRU's crosshairs.

Creating a clean spot to write wasn't easy with how long the message sat.

The Rock hit its first mark with a 68-59 win over Virginia State in the PSAC/CIAA Challenge Friday night at Morrow Field House.

Beating the Trojans, who were picked to win the CIAA's North Division, was a big boost for McGraw. Virginia State was an NCAA Tournament team last season, something SRU hasn't accomplished in 16 years.

“If they didn't believe before tonight, they should now,” McGraw said. “That's a good team we played tonight. We beat a good team with tradition and we are still growing.”

Growing together took time with three Division I transfers — junior guard Lexi Carpenter (Dayton) and sophomore guards Krista Pietropola (Youngstown State) and Ciara Patterson (Wright State) — working into the lineup.

SRU's offense stagnated in the third quarter after the game was tied at 26 at halftime.

Virginia State surged ahead by nine, 42-33, following a jumper by Stephanie Brown with 3 minutes, 56 seconds left in the quarter.

Carpenter, who finished with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists didn't feel any changes needed to be made.

SRU shot 35.5 percent (22-of-66) for the game.

“We learned that we have to know each other,” Carpenter said. “We knew our offense would eventually get in a rhythm. But with patience, execution and knowing our options and knowing which read to make it would all fall together.”

Virginia State opened the fourth quarter with a shot that would have dropped previous SRU teams. Endia McKinney drilled a 3-pointer to put the Trojans up 47-38.

“The last eight years, we go into the fourth quarter like that, game's over. We aren't coming back,” McGraw said. “A player of Lexi's caliber, a player of Krista Pietropola's caliber, they are going to make plays. Ciara Patterson's defense, no one is getting around her.”

Pietropola, who finished with 10 points off the bench, made the shot that put The Rock ahead. She buried a 3-pointer with 3:18 remaining that gave SRU a 56-53 lead.

“I was debating, because the girl had four fouls and I wanted to drive to the hoop,” said Pietropola on her decision to shoot. “She gave me the open shot so I couldn't pass it up.”

Patterson followed with a jumper and Carpenter made two free throws to extend the lead to seven. SRU outscored Virginia State 30-15 in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 26.7 percent (4-of-15). Wynterra Pittman led the Trojans with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

“We did and we talked about that,” said James Hill Jr. about how his team settle for too many jumpers. “When ou're on the road and you have to attack. We got caught up in it, we made a couple of 3s and got hyped up.”

Virginia State clawed with two, 60-58, but a jumper from Sorriyah Ranger gave The Rock room to breathe.

SRU worked through some growing pains and hit their first bullseye.

“We know what we have,” Carpenter said. “We are an extremely deep, talented team. Coach McGraw is an amazing coach and he knows how to work well with us. If we keep trusting in him and do exactly what he says we're going to go a long way.”

VIRGINIA STATE 59

Wynterra Pittman 7 4-4 18, Miesha Adams 3 3-3 9, Domonique Hagins 2 0-0 4, Philadra Jordan 2-4 0-1 5, Joy Hickman 1 0-0 3, Nandi Taylor 1 3-4 5, Antavia Stevens 0 0-0 0, Kiyana Stokes 0 0-0 0, Endia McKinney 3 1-2 9, Kaseula Cooper 0 0-0 0, Stephanie Brown 1 0-0 2, Donae Moguel 2 0-1 4. Totals: 22 11-15 59.

SRU 68

Megan Hardiman 2 3-4 9, Sorriyah Ranger 2 0-3 4, Ciara Patterson 2 1-2 6, Erica Aiello 3 1-1 7, Lexi Carpenter 7 8-9 22, Audrey Stapleton 2-8 2-2 7, Shannon Jack 0 0-0 0, Krista Pietropola 4 0-0 10, Mallory Heinle 0 0-0 0, Morgan Henderson 0 3-4 3. Totals: 22 18-25 68.

Virginia State 17 9 18 15 —59

SRU 16 10 12 30 —68

3-point goals: Virginia State 4 (McKinney 2, Jordan, Hickman); Slippery Rock 6 (Hardiman 2, Pietropola 2, Patterson, Stapleton)