Bears Overcome Slow Start, Recover to Beat Virginia Union 61-58

(Raleigh, NC) –  The Bears didn’t score until nearly five minutes were gone in the first half, but a strong defensive performance to begin the second half earned Shaw the lead, and they held off a persistent Virginia Union team to win their season opener 61-58.

“I was not happy with a number of things we did tonight,” said Shaw Head Coach Cleo Hill, Jr., “but I am glad the guys could play through the adversity and distractions.  I think that’s a sign that we’re going to be okay.”

The game was an ugly one characterized by poor shooting, turnovers, but also a strong defensive effort by both teams. 

“We may not play pretty games,” Hill continued, “but we’re going to play good defense every game.”

The Panthers (0-1, 0-1 in the CIAA) jumped out to a 8-0 lead to open the game, until the Bears  (1-0, 1-0 in the CIAA) finally found the bottom of the net.  Virginia Union built a 14-4 lead with seven minutes gone in the half, but the Bears had cut it to six with 12 minutes left in the half.

At that point, both teams went cold, with neither team scoring for four minutes, when Michael Smith hit a free throw for the Bears.   The next field goal wasn’t scored until Virginia Union’s  Juan Wilson hit a layup with 4:42 left in the half.

By the time the whistle finally blew for the first half, the score was 24-21 Virginia Union.

The stat sheet at halftime would have depressed a basketball purist.  The Bears were shooting 28.6 percent from the field, while the Panthers had managed 37 percent.  The only reason Shaw was still in the game was Virginia Union’s two for ten mark from the line.

The Bears came out for the second half playing a staunch defense, while finding their feet on offense.  With 17:22 left in the game, the Bears took the lead and never relinquished it, despite some strong runs from Virginia Union.

The second half showed improvement from both teams, with Shaw shooting 53.8 percent from the floor while Virginia Union managed 50 percent.  And while the Panther free throw shooting improved in the second half, they still finished the game with only a 37 percent mark on 10 for 27 attempts.

Shaw’s Rodney Calwood led both teams with 21 points.  He also had seven rebounds for the Bears.  Raheem Smith had 14 points for Shaw, while Michael Smith led the Bears with eight rebounds.

Three Panther starters hit double figures, led by Braxton Byerson with 15, Ryan King with 14 and Branden McDonald with ten.  King led the Panthers with eight rebounds.

The Bears’ next game is Monday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. when they host Virginia State at 8:00 p.m.