Men's Basketball 2/25/2010 7:04:51 PM

Shaw Knocks off Virginia Union to Stay Alive

CHARLOTTE, NC - Late free throws and key defensive stops helped propel #6 Shaw University to a 76-70 win over #3 Virginia Union University in CIAA Tournament action Thursday afternoon.

Shaw battled to take a 34-27 lead into halftime and got up by as many as 11 points in the second half after scoring seven points in less than a minute at the 12:00 mark. With the Bears holding onto a 52-40 lead, the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to cut the Shaw lead to four points with just over nine minutes to play in the game.

Virginia Union's experience in the CIAA Tournament kept them within striking distance when Braxton Byerson drained a three pointer for his team, cutting the Bear lead to 63-58 with 3:06 left on the clock.

After a missed three point attempt by the Byerson, Shaw's Smith was fouled on a drive to lane and went on to hit both foul shots to once against spread the Bear lead to seven points at 65-58. King kept the Panthers in the game after converting a three point play, cutting the Bear lead to 65-61 with 1:51 to play in regulation.

Shaw was clutch at the foul line over the final two minutes of the game with Smith and Adrian Bascom going 4-4 to give their team a 69-61 lead over the Panthers. Virginia Union stayed close after Wayne Ford drained a three pointer with 1:20 to play in the game. Ford's three point shot cut the Bear lead to 69-64 with a minute to play in the game. The Panthers were forced to foul after facing a five point deficit with under a minute to play. The Bears hit 7-10 free throws over the final minute to help propel them to the victory.

Virginia Union struggled from the floor, hitting just 37% (22-60) from the floor in the game. Ryan King led all scorers with 23 points on an 8-19 floor performance. Braxton Byerson scored 12 points. Redford pulled down 14 rebounds and five blocks.

The Panthers finished their season with a of19-9 record

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