Virginia Union University's Robert Osborne scored a team-high 14 points to lead the Panthers to a 62-51 win over defending CIAA champion Winston-Salem State University on Thursday, December 16, at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

It was the second time this season that VUU has defeated the Rams.  Virginia Union downed Winston-Salem State 59-55 in the championship of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic on November 23.

"I take my hat off to (WSSU Coach) Cleo Hill and Winston-Salem State," said VUU Head Men's Basketball Coach Jay Butler.  "They are really a tough team and you can see why they're the defending champs.  They really play tough defense.  We're 1-and-2 in the CIAA in defense, so we knew it was going to be a defensive battle."

VUU's Tyriek Railey scored 12 points while teammate Jordan Peebles added 10 points in the win.

Peebles and Raemaad Wright both grabbed a team-high nine rebounds while the Panthers, as a team, outrebounded Winston-Salem State 43-21.

The win raised VUU's record to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in CIAA play.  Winston-Salem State fell to 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA.

Virginia Union now travels to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to face Nova Southeastern University at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 19.

The game can be viewed free of charge at vuusports.com.