VSU cracks VUU Barco-code, captures CIAA Northern Division title

Virginia State cracked the code Saturday, getting inside against VUU’s resistance and also hitting from outside on the way to a 74-62 CIAA victory that concludes the regular season for both teams and delivers to the Trojans the CIAA Northern Division title.

Virginia State made nine of 12 from 3-point range and 65% overall. Virginia Union was limited to 30% shooting (19 for 63), and finished with just five assists.

On the way to a 60-46 lead with 10 minutes left, the Trojans (18-8, 13-3) had hit nine of 11 3-point attempts and were shooting 65%.

VSU, which won at Barco-Stevens for the first time since 2018, swept the regular-season series, having defeated the Panthers 78-74 in Ettrick on Jan. 18. The Trojans and Panthers (14-14, 8-8) move on to the CIAA tournament, Tuesday through next Saturday, in Baltimore.

The Trojans of coach Lonnie Blow Jr. showed patience and poise in attacking the VUU defense, which was allowing 67.9 points per game and limiting opponents to 43% shooting, 34% from 3-point distance. The Trojans had 68 points with 6:57 remaining.

VSU junior point guard Jacob Cooper set the table for the Trojans with his ballhandling and passing, and they were led in scoring by 6-foot-3 graduate Clint Wright Jr. (17 points), who hit six of eight overall and all four of his 3-point attempts.

VUU was led in scoring by 6-7 senior Jonathan King, with 21 points. King also had 10 rebounds. Freshman guard Bobby Gardner, from Fluvanna High, scored 11 with three steals.

“He’s a tough kid, he’s a good defender and an exceptional athlete, so we knew he had a chance to come in and compete,” VUU coach Jay Butler said. “I think he’s one of the best rookies in the CIAA.”

Virginia Union led 6-0, and Virginia State quickly caught and passed the Panthers, who are dealing with injuries that sucked substantial talent and depth from their team. VUU started the season 4-0 and received votes in the Division II poll. Then the Panthers lost seven straight as the injuries began taking an effect.

Multiyear starter and team leader Tahj Harding, a 6-foot-5 senior averaging 16 points, tried to come back from a summer knee injury but needed to shut it down early in the season, after starting freshman guard O’Maundre Harris (10.6 ppg) was lost for the season with a knee injury. Freshman guard Kennard Wyche (Varina High) underwent hip surgery about halfway through the season, and 6-6 junior starter Che Evans has been out the past six weeks with back injury.

“A lot of these kids got thrown into some new roles,” Butler said. “They’re fighting because we could have easily said, ‘We don’t have Tahj, we don’t have Dre Harris, we don’t have Kennard Wyche.’ But these kids continue to fight and step up and make plays.”