Virginia Union University's Terrell Leach scored 23 points, but Shippensburg University defeated VUU 77-62 in the opening round of the CIAA-PSAC Conference Challenge on Friday, November 8, in Shippensburg, Pa.

Leach hit seven of 13 shots, including three 3-pointers in the game.

"We knew coming in that this first game was going to be a tough game for us with a new team," said VUU Head Men's Basketball Coach Jay Butler.  "I thought after we settled down that we played much better in the second half.  Shippensburg is a very good team and we got down early, and it was an uphill batter the entire game."

VUU's Dedric Byrd scored 13 points while grabbing a team-high six rebounds.

Leach also dished off a team-high four assists while teammates Jordan Peebles and Bilal Abdur Rahim each had three steals.

Virginia Union now faces East Stroudsburg University on the second day of the CIAA-PSAC Conference Challenge at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, in Shippensburg, Pa.