Virginia Union University's Demarius Pitts led the Panthers with 10 points, but Shippensburg University defeated VUU 71-66 in the opening round of the Trojan Tip-Off Classic, held on Friday, November 12, at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.
 
VUU's Raemaad Wright pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Panthers on the boards.
 
Shippensburg (1-0) and Virginia Union (0-1) were tied 53-53 with 7:40 remaining when the Raiders used a 12-2 run to pull away. SU was 26-of-34 (76.5 percent) at the free-throw line, including 20-of-25 (80.0 percent) in the second half (17of-21 over the final seven minutes), and committed just nine turnovers.
 
Virginia Union finished the night 2-of-16 from three-point range but grabbed 22 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points.
 
VUU will now meet Mansfield University on the second day of the Trojan Tip-Off Classic at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.