Bears Athletics - Poor Shooting Haunts Shaw in Loss To VUU

Shooting Troubles Haunt Shaw in 58-51 Loss to Virginia Union

(Petersburg, VA) – Shaw played Virginia Union point-for-point for most of their match Monday night, but in a five-minute run in the second half, the Panthers built a nine-point lead and Shaw could not fight their way back, falling 58-51.

Shaw (7-6, 5-2 in the CIAA) battled back, cutting the lead to as little as one – and never let it get larger than nine until the final minute of the game when Shaw sent VUU (9-5, 7-3 in the CIAA) to the free throw line to stop the clock.

The Bears’ attempt at the second half run was hampered by poor shooting – only six for 18 in the period, including one for four while VUU built their nine-point lead.

In the first half, neither team could take control of the game, with the largest lead held by either team three points – twice by Virginia Union.

Both teams settled into half court offenses and both teams often double-teamed the ball. As a result, the number of shots taken was relatively low, while each team turned the ball over 12 times.

At the half, the Bears held a single-point lead, 28-27.

The second half started much as the first had ended – with baskets being traded, and neither team looking particularly comfortable from the floor or the line.

Midway through the second half, the largest lead – by the Panthers – had been four, and had lasted for 22 seconds when Raheem Smith (right) hit a three to bring the Bears back within one.

With 9:27 left in the game, Jamaar Hosier hit one of two from the line, bringing the Bears back to within one. Over the next five minutes, though, the Panthers outscored Shaw 10-2, building a nine-point lead that Shaw cut into, but never could eliminate.

Shaw cut the lead to four with 2:47 left in the game on a layup from Dwight Bell. The Bears did not score again until only 30 seconds remained in the game, when Eric Pitts hit a free throw. In that period, the Panthers hit five free throws, sealing the win.

Smith led the Bears with 15 points, while Rodney Callwood and Bell had 11 each. Callwood led Shaw with eight rebounds.

Byerson led the Panthers with 12 points, while Ryan King had ten. Wesley Simmons led VUU with six rebounds.

The Bears return home Saturday, January 16 to face off against Elizabeth City State at 7:30 p.m. in C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

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January 11, 2010