Box Score Virginia Union University's Melyse Brown scored 16 points, but 16th-ranked Virginia State University defeated Virginia Union University 73-65 on Saturday, January 18, in Historic Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

VUU got off to a great start, the Lady Panthers scored 10 of the first 12 points of the game. Continuing her All-American season, Ashle Freeman continued to impress, leading the team with 20 points. Freeman had the hot hand once again, unfortunately her late game efforts were not enough to get the team over the hump.

When asked about the game getting away from the Lady Panthers in the final minutes of regulation, Head Coach Barvenia Wooten-Cherry had this to say, "Our team has to learn how to finish, and I believe that's going to come to us at the right time, (along with) making the best and the right decisions".

"I was excited, I knew we had a great game plan, and I also knew we had a second half to play, and you know at some point your going t have that momentum change, and I was really just trying to prepare the team for that momentum change," Wooten-Cherry said.

Junior guard Melyse Brown paired with Freeman to form a dynamic one-two punch, scoring 16 points on the night, adding 2 assists, and three rebounds. With Brown's emergence as of late in the scoring column, the Lady Panthers seem to have a second shooter to lean on, taking pressure off of Freeman going into the CIAA tournament.

Also coming off of a big performance was Freshman Jasmin Dancy. As the only freshman in the starting line up, Dancy has played well beyond her years throughout the duration of the season. With five rebounds, and 12 points, Dancy gives Head coach Wooten-Cherry and huge block to build around going forward with future recruiting.

Although their numbers were not exactly eye popping, ShaHadah Barrett and Adrianna Allen also had strong showings in Saturday night's game. Barrett finished with just four points and five rebounds however, her skill-set as a game manager seemed to have enable the Lady Panthers to keep the game close, while Allen gained attention for her aggressive defensive attributes.

Saturday's loss drops the Lady Panthers to 4-11 overall, and 1-5 in thee CIAA. Virginia State is now 14-1 overall and 4-1 in CIAA play.

The team is back home in Historic Barco-Stevens Hall in a match up against the Bowie State Bulldogs. The game will tip of at 5:30 on Wednesday January 22nd, 2014 as the first game of part of a double header.