Virginia Union and Virginia State split a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader Saturday at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center, with the host Trojans’ women rallying for a 68-66 victory before the Panthers’ men dominated 65-37.

Virginia State (11-4, 5-2) erased a 10-point third-quarter deficit to edge Virginia Union in the women’s game. The Trojans jumped ahead 12-3 on a 7-0 run capped by Tamia Darden’s bucket in the first quarter but trailed 33-32 at halftime. 

Virginia Union continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 48-38 advantage before Virginia State went on a 9-0 run to trim its deficit to 48-47 with 2:17 left in the third. The Trojans took a 51-50 lead into the fourth quarter on a Darden free throw. 

Virginia Union took a 61-58 lead before Virginia State responded with a 5-0 run, finished by Kendahl Spearman’s layup, to seize a 63-61 lead with 3:30 remaining and hold on for the win. 

Maya Ellis led Virginia State with 19 points, six rebounds and three steals. Spearman added 14 points off the bench. The Trojans’ bench provided 32 points, and the team knocked down six of 15 three-point attempts while forcing 22 turnovers. 

For Virginia Union, Serenity Johnson led with 17 points, Bruni Martinez added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Deaishjah Somerville finished with 12 points. The Panthers outrebounded Virginia State 36-32. 

“We talked all week about how the team that makes the fewest mistakes will be the team that wins the game,” said VUU head women’s basketball coach Alico Dunk. “It was pretty even across the board until the last two minutes of the game. We made some costly mistakes down the stretch.” 

In the men’s game, Virginia Union delivered a dominant defensive performance, holding Virginia State to 37 points. The Panthers held the Trojans (10-9, 3-4) to 19 first-half points while building a 29-19 advantage at halftime. Virginia Union outscored Virginia State 36-18 in the second half. 

Virginia Union kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 33-21 advantage before Virginia State went on a 5-0 run, finished off by William Hopkins’ jumper, to shrink the deficit to 33-26 with 15:30 to go in the contest. Virginia Union responded and outscored the Trojans the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 65-37. 

Malachi Dark led all scorers with 18 points, shooting 7-of-10 from the field, while adding four rebounds and three steals. Tahj Harding finished with 10 points. 

For Virginia State (10-9, 3-4), Hopkins led with 12 points. Amare Wimbush added eight points and four blocks, and Jacob Cooper contributed four points, six assists and two steals. 

“I think the game went well for us defensively,” said VUU assistant men’s basketball coach Robert Johnson. “We’re always preaching defense, and we know when we play our best defensive game that good things are going to happen.”