It’s not how you start that counts most. It’s how you finish.

And with Baltimore beckoning, Virginia Union is putting on a finishing kick.

Coach Jay Butler’s Panthers are back in the divisional race after defeating CIAA North-leading Lincoln and Bluefield State last week.

Despite a disappointing 11-14 overall mark, VUU is now 6-7 in CIAA and 5-2 in the division, which determines tournament seeding for the annual tournament, Feb. 26-March 2 in Baltimore.

Lincoln still leads the North with a 6-1 divisional mark.

As a late arrival after transferring from Shepherd, W.Va., Jordan Gibson has helped key the late-season surge. The 6-foot-5 graduate student had 18 points in the win over Bluefield, including four of six 3-pointers.

Jonathan King added 18 points, hitting eight of 10 field goals.

VUU plays Winston-Salem in a non-division game Feb. 17 in Indianapolis as part of the NBA All-Star festivities.

VUU finishes with road games at Elizabeth City on Feb. 21 and Virginia State on Feb. 24.

From VSU, the Panthers will head to Baltimore — hopefully with momentum as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed from the North.

VUU last won the tournament in 2018.