Richmond, VA – The Shaw University Bears rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half to take a late lead but eventually fell to the Virginia Union University Panthers 63-59 Saturday afternoon in a pivotal CIAA Northern Division matchup.

Shaw (7-7, 3-5 CIAA) jumped out to an early 9-5 lead with baskets from Justus Baldwin and Michael Armstrong followed by Brandon Faison. Faison found the bottom of the basket again to put the Bears ahead of VUU 13-9 at the under 15 media timeout.  VUU (14-5, 7-3 CIAA) responded with a 9-0 run to push ahead 18-13 with 11:59 left in the half forcing a Bears timeout.  

Armstrong made a pair at the free-throw line to cut the VUU lead to 26-22 with 6:10 left before halftime. The Bears deficit remained four at the final media timeout of the half before the Panthers extended their lead to 34-24 with just under three minutes left in the half. Quick baskets from Nakwan Kitchens and Jason Robinson made the score 34-28. The Panthers closed out the half with five straight to take a 39-28 lead into the break.

Not much changed during the start of the second half as the Bears still trailed by double digits 49-39 at the first media timeout of the second half. Six straight points from Caleb Simmons sliced the Panthers lead to 49-45 with 12:13 remaining. Brandon Faison added a step back jumper followed by another basket from Simmons to tie the score at 49-49 with 10:28 left. 

Simmons gave Shaw a 51-49 lead just before the under 10 media timeout with a fade-away jumper. VUU went back ahead by three before Simmons added a pair at the line to cut the lead to one before tying the game at 55-55 with 2:22 remaining.

The Bears went ahead 57-55 with two free throws from Simmons with 1:55 on the clock. VUU answered with three from the top of the key with 59.1 left to go ahead by one 58-57. After a Bears turnover, VUU answered with a three to go ahead 61-57 with just over 20 seconds left. Simmons was fouled with 14.4 left and added two more free throws. Shaw missed on a turnover as a travel was missed but a foul sent VUU to the free-throw line with 7.3 left where they added two. The Bears last-minute shot was no good as the Bears fell 63-59.

Simmons led the Shaw offense with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Armstrong followed with 10 points while Faison added 9 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds.

The Bears return home for a much-needed home contest inside C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium as they face rival St. Augustine's Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m.