Panthers turn back Trojans

Virginia State is sick and tired of losing to Virginia Union. And for the first time in a couple of seasons, the Trojans appeared poised to do something about it.

When Trey Mines hit a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Trojans a 61-60 lead with 6:17 remaining last night at the Coliseum, the Panthers' series winning streak was in jeopardy.

Again, however, Virginia Union found a way to survive. The Panthers outscored the Trojans 17-5 in the final 6:04 to win 77-65 in the nightcap of the Freedom Classic.

The Panthers, getting a game-high 19 points from Braxton Byerson and Brandon Byerson, won their eighth consecutive game -- and 15th consecutive against Virginia State.

"Virginia State played us extremely hard and they never quit," said VUU coach Willard Coker. "[VSU coach Anthony] Collins put them in position to win the game, but we were able to battle back and make a couple of big plays."

The Panthers took a 68-61 lead with 3:56 left when Braxton Byerson hit a 3-pointer after Brandon Byerson hit 4 of 6 free throws.

"I think we took a lot of bad shots and we made too many turnovers," Collins said. "We never recovered, and we let Virginia Union beat us by letting them get to the free throw line."

The Panthers struggled from the perimeter. So, they muscled the ball inside and made of 24 of 32 free throws.

"We had to take the ball to the basket, and it worked out pretty good for us," Coker said. "You can't win a close game like this without getting to the basket and making some free throws.

"We decided we were going to take it strong to the rim. They put us in a position where we had to make something good happen."

"Actually, Coach [Dave Robbins] beat them, and this was my first time," Coker said. "Most of our guys don't know much about those wins or the rivalry."

The Panthers seemingly were in control as they led 40-32 after Gregg Thondique tipped in a missed shot.

The Trojans put themselves in position to ease the pain of their perennial headache. They methodically chipped away at the Virginia Union lead.

Then, with 9:28 left, Leon Willis muscled inside for a layup to even the game at 53. The Panthers went cold after a Thondique dunk at 9:10 put them ahead 55-53.

The Panthers teased their fans with hopes of a blowout as they stretched their lead to 12 points with 8:10 to play in the first half. The Trojans looked dazed as they struggled mightily to dial in offensively.

The Trojans made only 11 of 31 shots in the first half. Yet, they remained within striking distance, in part, because Virginia Union missed an inordinate number of shots around the basket.

The Trojans stayed afloat, too, because unheralded backup Terrell Crockett scored nine of VSU's 14 bench points while the starters staggered out of the gate, shooting only 6 of 18 from the floor.

The Panthers, with their big men fighting for touches, leaned on guards Brandon and Braxton Byerson. They had a combined 22 points -- including 8 of 11 at the foul line -- as Virginia Union led 35-28 at the break.

The Byersons triggered a transition game that enabled the Panthers to get several uncontested layups. The Panthers were able to sprint into the open floor, mostly because of their defensive pressure on the perimeter, which limited Mines to four points and six shots in the first half.

VIRGINIA UNION (6-2 CIAA, 10-3)

Bran. Byerson 19, McDonald 7, Brax. Byerson 19, Cook 0, Thondique 18, Berry 0, Smith 4, Williams 10, Bond 0.
VIRGINIA STATE (4-5, 8-10)

Mines 15, Johnson 7, Simpson 6, Macklin 3, Willis 8, Lipscomb 3, Mills 3, Crockett 2, Washington 0, Chaney 3.

Halftime: VUU 35-28. 3-point goals: VUU -- Braxton Byerson (3). VSU -- Mines 1, Lipscomb.

Hampton 59,
Winston-Salem 43