Virginia Union University's Tahj Harding scored a team-high 14 points, but the University of Charleston defeated the Panthers 60-53 on Monday, January 15, at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

VUU's Jonathan Salazar scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the game.

"I thought defensively we played well in the first half but struggled to score and make our free throws," said VUU Head Men's Basketball Coach Jay Butler.  "Anytime you can hold one of the best teams in the region to 60 points, it was a good effort on the defensive end tonight, but we have got to find ways to put the ball in the basket offensively to close out games."

Virginia Union will now travel to Petersburg, Va., to play Virginia State University in the 2024 Freedom Classic at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 20.