PHOTO GALLERY | The last time Virginia Union University played Livingstone College, VUU's Shareka McNeill set a school-record by scoring 59 points.
 
On Thursday, November 21, just nine months later, McNeill lit up the scoreboard for 55 points in VUU's 92-55 win over Livingstone, marking the first time that a Virginia Union women's basketball player had scored over 50 points in VUU's storied Barco-Stevens Hall.
 
Let that sink in for a moment. 
 
The last time any Virginia Union basketball player, male or female, recorded two 50+ point games was when Mike Davis of the men's team did it in 1967-68.
 
In the last two meetings between VUU and Livingstone, the Blue Bears have scored 112 points (57 and 55 points).  Shareka McNeill alone has scored 114.
 
"Everything was working tonight," McNeill said.  "My team got me excited.  We all came into the gym ready to rock and roll because it was our first conference game.   We took on Livingstone and we did our thing at home."
 
McNeill hit 18 of 31 shots from the field, including nine three-pointers.  She also dished out three assists and had three steals.
 
But McNeill was hardly alone in the win.  Her twin sister, Shameka McNeill, had 15 points while Jasmine Carter grabbed 12 rebounds.  VUU's Dy'Manee Royal had 11 boards while teammate Ifunanya Okoye had 10 rebounds.
 
"Our team is really growing and we're proud of what we're seeing on both ends of the court, on offense and defense," said VUU Head Women's Basketball Coach AnnMarie Gilbert.  "Shareka is definitely the engine to our machine and I'm really excited about how she played."
 
McNeill leads the nation with a 43.3 points per game scoring average.  Her nearest competitor, Shannon Ryan of St. Anselm College, is averaging 30.0 points per game, a difference of 13.3 points per contest.
 
"She's one of the best guards I've ever coached," Gilbert said.  "It's effortless for her.  She puts in a lot of time and a lot of work.  She believes in every single shot she takes.  I've really never seen anything like it.  I'm going to be honest, she's a shot-maker."
 
The win raised VUU's record to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in the CIAA.  Livingstone fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in CIAA play.
 
Virginia Union now travels to Fayetteville, N.C., to face Fayetteville State University at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23.
 
The Lady Panthers return home to Barco-Stevens Hall on Monday, November 25, when the Lady Panthers host Claflin University at 5:30 p.m. in Richmond, Va.