Virginia Union’s women hoopsters were not intimidated after seeing Virginia State’s NCAA Division II, No. 11 national ranking.

Coach Tierra Terry’s Panthers seemed more like the favorite than the underdog in upsetting the host Trojans, 70-56, before a partisan crowd of 1,097 at VSU’s Multi-Purpose Center.

The CIAA game was part of the annual Freedom Classic Festival that honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.

The victory lifted VUU to 12-6 overall and 5-3 in the CIAA, just one game behind the pace-setting Trojans who now are 15-2 overall and 6-2 in 6-2 in CIAA.

Originally, the game was scheduled for VUU’s Barco- Stevens Hall. It was changed a week before to accommodate the Freedom Classic activities.

If the venue change (meaning loss of home court) upset the Panthers, it didn’t show.

VUU knows the way to Petersburg. And to the basket.

The Richmonders led 19-11 after one quarter, 36-21 at half-time, and the rout was on.

Taniah Johnson, a 5-foot-7 graduate student from Roanoke, buried three 3-pointers and led the scoring with 17 points.

Ny Langley, a 5-foot-11 senior from North Carolina, had 15 points and was dominant on the boards with 13 rebounds.

Rori Cox added another 12 VUU points.

There was a revenge factor. VUU lost twice to VSU last season.

Mihjae Hayes had 19 points for the Trojans and Tatiana Johnson had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The rivals will meet again Feb. 24 with the venue uncertain. It would stand to reason the rematch would be at Barco-Stevens but the game might be at the Multi-Purpose Center to suit a possible HBCU GO TV opportunity.