Shaw Builds Early Lead, Defeats Virginia Union 70-55

(Raleigh, NC) – The Shaw University Lady Bears built a ten-point lead in the first half, and never saw it seriously challenged as they defeated Virginia Union 70-55. 

Neither team could get their footing in the first three minutes, but the Lady Bears ran off a 7-0 run to take a brief lead, however the Lady Panthers fought back, cutting the lead to two, 10-8, with 12:17 left in the first half.

Over the next two minutes, Shaw outscored Virginia Union 12-2, building a ten-point lead halfway through the first half.  They finished the first half with a 38-24 lead.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Saundra Proctor knocked down one of her six three-pointers, extending the Lady Bears lead to 17. 

The Lady Panthers then outscored the Lady Bears 14-3, with six different players contributing to the run.  That was the closest Virginia Union would come, though, as Shaw steadily rebuilt their lead, posting a 70-55 final tally.

Proctor (Sr., Denver, CO) led the Lady Bears with 20 points – 18 of those off three-pointers.   Victoria Tanner (So., Raleigh) had 12 and Janelle Harrison (Jr., Chesapeake, VA) 11.  Tanner led the Lady Bears in rebounds with 10, while Maggie Tanner (So. Raleigh) had nine.

Tonaye Smith (Sr., Detroit) led the Lady Panthers with 19 points, and Gabrielle Easley (So., Norfolk) had eight rebounds.

The Lady Bears next play Monday, November 23 against Virginia State at 5:30 p.m. at C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium on Shaw’s campus.

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