Virginia Union University secured a hard-fought 69-64 victory over Bluefield State University on Saturday, January 25, at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va. The win marks Virginia Union's second consecutive victory and demonstrates their ability to dominate defensively against one of the nation's top-scoring teams.

Standout Performers
Jonathan King led the Panthers with an impressive double-double, contributing 16 points and 11 rebounds. His performance was complemented by Bobby Gardner, who added 14 points, and Malachi Dark, who chipped in 13 points. The trio was instrumental in maintaining the team's lead throughout the game, as Virginia Union never trailed.

Defensive Prowess
Bluefield State, ranked fourth nationally with an average of 95.9 points per game, was held to a season-low 64 points. The Panthers' defensive effort was highlighted by forcing 21 turnovers and recording 14 steals, showcasing their intensity and focus on that end of the court.

Head Coach Jay Butler praised his team's energy and execution:

"It felt good to be back in the Barco for a home game. I thought the guys really came out with high energy on the defensive end, and that allowed us to get going on the offensive end. Anytime you can hold the number one offensive team in the CIAA that was averaging over 90 points a game to just 64 points, that's being locked in on defense."

Coach Butler also emphasized the impact of senior leadership and contributions from younger players:

"I thought Jonathan King played a great game today on both ends of the court. He has done a great job of being a leader on the court, and it has helped the young players elevate their games. We really want to pound the ball inside on offense, so we have been relying on Malachi Dark and Jonathan Salazar for strong production in the paint. I was also pleased with our freshmen Bobby Gardner and Jamari Garnett, who continue to improve with each game."

Looking Ahead
Virginia Union will look to carry this momentum into their next game against Winston-Salem State University on Monday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C.

With their defense firing on all cylinders and strong contributions across the roster, the Panthers are poised to extend their winning streak and continue climbing in the CIAA standings.