Shaw Knocks off Virginia Union to Stay Alive in CIAA Tourney

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 this afternoon. The Bears put four players in double figures with Rodney Callwood and Raheem Smith combining for 40 of their teams’ total points. Today’s winner advances to play ECSU tomorrow night at 7:00pm in semi-final action.

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.

After a bucket by Rodney Callwood, a defensive stop on the other end of the court, and a three point play by Michael Smith, Shaw got back on top 56-49 at the 7:54 mark of the game.

Shaw held on to that seven point lead for the next two minutes of play before Raheem Smith drained a three pointer to spread their lead to ten points over Virginia Union. A layup by Ryan King on the ensuing possession pulled the Panthers back within striking distance at 60-52 with just over five minutes to play. Shaw’s Smith and Virginia Union’s King exchanged three pointers on respective possessions to make the score 63-55 in Shaw’s favor with just over four 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.

The Bears hit for 39% (22-56) in the game, including draining 24 points from the charity stripe. Callwood scored 20 points to with three blocks and five rebounds while Smith also scored 20 points. Dwight Bell and Smith hit for 14 and 11 points respectively.

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.

The Bears improve their overall record to 16-13 while the Panthers fall to 19-9 on the year. Shaw advances in the tournament bracket and will face off against Elizabeth City State University Friday at 7:00pm.