Following a difficult trip to the Deep South, the Virginia Union University basketball team is now pointing north.

Coach Jay Butler’s rebuilding Panthers dropped two games last weekend in Lakeland, Fla. – losing to Florida Southern 79-62 and Emporia (Kansas) State, 72-59.

Coming up is a trip to Millersville, Pa., to play Mansfield, Pa., State on Saturday and host Millersville on Sunday.

In Florida, 6-foot-7 freshman Joshua Caine was a bright spot, scoring 14 points and blocking three shots in the loss to host Southern.

Preseason All-CIAA Tahj Harding had 18 points in the loss to Emporia.

VUU has only two returning players from last year’s squad.