Virginia Union University’s golf team wasn’t blinded by the lights in its first venture in NCAA Tournament competition.

The Panthers finished a strong eighth out of 20 entries at the 54-hole NCAA Atlantic Region competition in Greensburg, Pa.

VUU posted a 311 overall score, 11 strokes off the champion, Southern New Hampshire University.

VUU’s Allan Day was 17th individually, with a 227 score for Coach E. Lee Coble’s Richmonders. Sergio Escalante was 43rd; Paul Meints, 53rd; and Trayvon Willis, 68th.

The Panthers qualified for the regional competition by winning the CIAA golf title last month in New Kent County.