JUAN MCCALL PHOTO GALLERY | Virginia Union University's Terrell Leach scored a team-high 24 points, but Virginia State University defeated the Panthers in the 2019 Freedom Classic 88-73 on Saturday, January 19, in Petersburg, Va.

Leach went 8-for-17 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the game.

"My hat's off to (VSU Coach) Lonnie Blow and his team," said VUU Head Coach Jay Butler.  "Virginia State is a very disciplined basketball team.  They ran their game plan tonight, rebounded the basketball, and came down and hit shots.  They really spread it around, with four guys in double-figures.  It was just a tough night all around for us.  We've got to be tough defensively every night in order for us to be good.  We've won six out of our last seven games and played really well on the road, but tonight we had key guys who didn't make plays when we needed them too.  We fought to the end and tried to get back in it, but (VSU) just kept making plays down the stretch."

Virginia Union's Jordan Peebles scored 13 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while teammate Demarius Pitts added 11 points.

The loss dropped VUU to 9-8 overall and 5-2 in the CIAA.  Virginia State is now 15-3 overall and 7-0 in CIAA play.

Virginia Union now travels to Bowie, Md., to face Bowie State University at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23.

The game can be viewed at vuusports.com.