RALEIGH, NC --The Shaw women's basketball team got a 20-point performance from the bench on the way to a 63-59 victory against the Virginia Union Panthers at home Saturday.

The Lady Bears (8-5, 3-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes, who had 12 points and seven rebounds. Camilla Barreno added 10 points and five assists and Naomi Winston-Ellis added eight points and two steals.

Shaw's defense held Virginia Union to only 29.2 percent shooting from the field. The Lady Bears also limited Taniah Johnson to 4-of-14 shooting in the game.

How It Happened

After falling behind 5-4, Shaw went on a 7-0 run with 3:49 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Ross-Barnes, to take an 11-5 lead. The Lady Bears then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 15-12 advantage. Shaw did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.

The Lady Bears used the second period to increase their lead and entered halftime with a 29-23 edge. Shaw saw non-starters score five of its 14 total points off the bench in the quarter.

Shaw continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Inari Jones, to expand its lead further to 45-31 with 2:50 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Lady Bears added one point to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 48-33 edge. Shaw played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 19 points in the paint.

The Lady Bears then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Shaw got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring six of its 15 total points.

Game Notes

» The Bears held the Panthers to only 29.2 percent shooting from the field.
» The Bears never trailed after taking a 15-12 first quarter lead.
» The Shaw bench came alive by scoring 20 points to its scoring output.
» The Shaw defense forced 22 turnovers.
» Shaw got seven rebounds from both Alexis Radcliff and Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes.

Up Next 

Shaw will hit the road for two straight games with a trip to Elizabeth City, NC to face ECSU in a rematch of the 2023 CIAA Championship game Tuesday, January 9th. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 PM.