A packed Virginia State Multi-Purpose Center with two passionate fanbases meeting for basketball? It must be time for the Freedom Classic.

For Virginia Union and Virginia State, this game just means more.

"It's the battle of I-95," Virginia Union coach Jay Butler said. "I've been in this rivalry as a player. I just try and tell them to embrace the moment."

The Trojans and the Panthers headed into Saturday night's contest cold. Both teams lost their previous games and only have two wins combined in January.

So this one wasn't only a big deal for the sake of the rivalry, but both groups needed a CIAA win. This time around, it was Virginia Union's time to shine, with the Panthers picking up the 54-44 win.

"I thought that both teams came out defensively," Butler said. "The guys came out and showed that  ... they understand the rivalry, to win in a hostile environment and I think they played well."

With the win, Virginia Union improved to 7-12 (2-5 CIAA) while Virginia State fell to 8-10, 3-5.

Down the stretch and into the final five minutes, it was electric in Ettrick. The Panthers and the Trojans traded 3-pointers and both were making shots at pivotal times.

Virginia State, after losing the lead in the second half, got its energy back in the last 10 minutes, making 3-pointers. Virginia Union responded though, sinking 3-point shots of its own to keep a small lead.

It came down to who could make the timely baskets but both teams were putting on a show. That was, until the Panthers tightened up on defense at the end, made their foul shots and pulled away with the 10-point victory.

"I've been here a couple of years, so I understand the rivalry," junior guard Tahj Harding, who had a team-high 28 points, said. "I can't let my team down, I knew I had to step up today."

The Panthers didn't make it easy. After trailing 21-18 through the first 20 minutes, Virginia Union woke up in the second half. The team went on a run, hitting 3-pointers and fighting in the paint to take a 27-25 lead five minutes into the second half. Though the Trojans tied it a few times in the second half, Virginia Union always had an answer.

"I challenged the guys at halftime," Butler said. "I said 'We just got to find ways. Find ways to score the ball, continue to share the ball."

Virginia State started hot and jumped out to the lead early against its rivals, having a 10-3 lead by the 12-minute mark in the first half. The Trojans shared the wealth in the first half, with no one flying off the scoresheet but the majority of the team having points to their name through the first 20 minutes.

Ultimately, they came up short in the second 20 minutes. The Trojans went on cold stretches, and the Panthers capitalized on opportunities.

"We're fighting, we're playing hard," Harding said. "We want to win, we want to get better."

VUU junior Jonathan Salazar scored 14 points and had a team-high seven rebounds. The Trojans were led by Kamryn Edwards with nine points, and Jonathan Norfleet and Izeah Parker had seven points apiece.

Next up for Virginia Union is a home affair with Bowie State, with tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Virginia State next will face Bluefield State, also at 7:30 on Wednesday.

"I feel like we competed from the jump," Salazar said. "We knew it would be a hostile environment.   We were just locked in."