Virginia Union University's Demarius Pitts scored a team-high 22 points, but the University of Tampa outlasted the Panthers 67-66 on the second day of the Eckerd Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday, November 24, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

VUU's Wll Jenkins recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds in the game.

"The goal was to go 2-0 in Florida, but we came up short today against a solid Tampa team," said VUU Head Coach Jay Butler.  "When you're playing good basketball teams you can't turn the ball over and miss free throws down the stretch."

VUU went 22 for 30 from the free throw line but out-rebounded Tampa 41-27.

The Panthers are now 2-3 on the season while Tampa is now 4-2.

Virginia Union now returns home to face Cheyney University at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, in Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.