INDIANAPOLIS -- While Virginia Union coach Jay Butler would have liked a different outcome, both teams had a winning experience at the NBA HBCU Classic, held on Saturday, February 17, in Indianapolis, Ind., where Winston-Salem State University defeated VUU 64-47.

Tahj Harding led Virginia Union (11-17, 6-9 CIAA ) with 11 points and Travis Vaughn added nine.

Virginia Union is now in second place of the Northern Division of the CIAA with a 5-3 divisional record.  The Panthers are one game behind division leader Lincoln (Pa.) University which is 6-2.

The game between the two NCAA Division II teams from the historically Black universities was played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the same court the NBA's All-Stars will play on Sunday night.

"This was big time," Butler said. "This was an awesome event. Something kids will remember for the rest of their lives. When we first got here, they rolled out the red carpet from the airport to the hotel to the arena."

Being a Division II school, Butler said the players don't get to play on this kind of stage.

"It's big for our school and program and for our recruiting, moving forward," Butler said. "I just want to thank the NBA and all those sponsors for basically allowing this event to happen. It is big for the HBCU community just to get this opportunity to play in front of millions on national TV."

Vaughn, one of eight freshmen for the Panthers, said he never experienced anything like it.

"It was just an amazing experience," he said recounting the NBA stars he met. "I'm very fortunate. ... I got to meet Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard. I look up to them for my game, so I was very fortunate for that."

Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was among those in attendance.

Virginia Union will now travel to Elizabeth City, N.C., to face the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21.