Five Virginia Union players scored in double figures led by Antwan Walton’s 19 points as the eighth-ranked Panthers defeated Shaw 83-61 at Spaulding Gymnasium.

Down 26-13 midway through the first half, Shaw (6-15, 4-6, 2-3) began to make a run.  A three-point play by Nate Aaron with five minutes, 24 seconds remaining pulled the Bears to within 30-24.  Two baskets by the Panthers within 17 seconds put them ahead 34-24.  Shaw would come back again, this time pulling to within 34-30 on a jumper by Ron Colbert with 3:36 remaining.  The Bears kept their deficit to four and trailed 37-33 at halftime.

Virginia Union (16-2, 8-2, 5-1) would extend their lead to 49-36 on a lay-up by Darius Hargrove with 14:27 remaining in the game.  Shaw would come to within nine points on two free throws by Willie Williams with 11:36 remaining.  Shaw then went cold over the next two minutes, 36 seconds missing five of six shots and turning the ball over once.  Antwan Walton’s jumper followed by a Hargrove dunk with 8:39 remaining made the score 63-47 and gave the Panthers their biggest lead to that point.

Marcus Jennings was the only Bear to score in double figures finishing with 11 points.  Hargrove finished with 18.

Shaw will play at Elizabeth City State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.