JUAN MCCALL PHOTO GALLERY | Virginia Union University had five players reach double-figures in scoring as the Panthers defeated Bluefield State College 91-67 on Wednesday, January 16, at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

VUU's Darian Peterson led the Panthers with 15 points while Jordan White and Terrell Leach had 14 points apiece.

Virginia Union's Demarius Pitts and Will Jenkins scored 13 points apiece in the win while Pitts led VUU on the boards with seven rebounds.

"I thought we came out a little sluggish in the first half," said VUU Head Coach Jay Butler.  "Bluefield State played a small lineup and really gave us problems in the first half on the defensive end."

Peterson went six-for-six from the field in recording his season-high of 15 points.

"Darian did a good job off the bench with his rebounding and outside shooting," Butler said.  "The second half we got our legs underneath and started defending very well."

VUU doubled the points in the paint against Bluefield State, with the Panthers scoring 28 to the Blues' 14 points.

"We are getting pretty good when we defend and get out and get easy baskets in transition," Butler said.  "Anytime you get five players in double figures and Jemal Smith with 11 assists, it a good team win."

The win raised VUU's record to 9-7 while Bluefield State drops to 4-10.

Virginia Union now travels to Petersburg, Va., to face Virginia State University in the 2019 Freedom Classic Festival at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19.