VUU men’s team downs VSU 75-67

The rafters of Virginia Union University’s historic Barco-Stevens Hall are adorned with retired jerseys.

William Jenkins played last Saturday like he wants his maroon and steel No. 22 to join them there some day.

Even VUU hoops “royalty,” including Charles Oakley, Terry Davis and Ben Wallace, would be challenged to outshine Jenkins’ dismantling of Virginia State in the second edition of the “Battle of I-95.”

Before a raucous gathering, the high-hopping, long-stemmed 6-foot-7 junior from Baltimore piled up 23 points and 14 rebounds in the Panthers’ 75-67 victory.

VSU, now 20-4 overall and 12-1 in the CIAA, came to Richmond with a 16-game winning streak and No. 22 NCAA Division II ranking.

VUU improves to 15-9, 10-3, with its fourth win in a row and its sixth triumph in the last seven outings.

“February is when people love to see us play, and a win like this really helps,” Jenkins said. “I like our odds and direction we’re going in right now.”

In the first VUU-VSU meeting this season won by VSU, 88-73, Jenkins played more like a lamb, collecting just seven points and no rebounds.

In the rematch, he pounced like a panther, dominating inside action at both ends of the floor.

“I let my guys down last time,” Jenkins said. “So this time I took it upon myself to put the team on my back.”

But this is no time to play taps for the Trojans, who remain the heavy favorite for the CIAA Northern Division crown.

The matchup marked just the second time in three years VSU has come to Barco-Stevens with a long winning streak only to be foiled by VUU and its powerful home court advantage.

VSU or any visiting team is definitely at a disadvantage on the Lombardy Street campus. “Barco” was packed, sardine style, with a roaring crowd and pep band that could be heard all the way on Broad Street.

It would be an understatement to say it was standing room only. With some degree of seriousness, it was said that VSU subs were apprehensive about entering the game, fearful their precious front row seat would be taken before they returned.

Jenkins wasn’t alone as a VUU hero.

Dynamic guard Terrell Leach had 21 points (15 in the second half), freshman Demarius Pitts added 13 and Eric Bowles dished nine assists.

Also deserving “Player of Game” consideration was the fired up, partisan crowd that couldn’t help but get into the heads of the visitors.

In stark contrast to the first VUU-VSU game this season, this time the Panthers shot 53 percent to the Trojans’ 43 percent and outrebounded them, 38-28.

Jenkins has been on a mission since last year’s CIAA Tournament when he helped VUU to its first title since 2006.

His above-the-rim style of play continued into last year’s NCAA Tournament and now into his junior season.

An obvious All-CIAA candidate, he averages 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds while hitting 52 percent from the field. He also leads with 27 blocked shots.

Befitting his No. 22 jersey, “Double Deuce” is his nickname but “double-double” has become his battle cry.

Since the VSU loss, Jenkins has churned out four double-doubles – 25 points and 15 rebounds against Bowie State, 24 points and 12 boards against Lincoln and 15 points and 12 rebounds against Winston-Salem, setting the stage for his 23 points and 14 rebounds against VSU.

A year ago, VUU turned a fairly ordinary season into one to remember with a late flurry of victories, featuring four in four nights at the CIAA tourney in Charlotte, N.C.

The Panthers, with ample talent and fresh momentum, may be headed in the same direction this go-round. At least that’s the plan, according to “Double Deuce.”

VUU women’s team tops VSU 67-42

If Virginia Union University fans didn’t know Bria McKinney before, they do now.

The 5-foot-8 senior from Houston was an unexpected hero off the bench last Saturday in the Lady Panthers’ 67-42 dismantling of visiting Virginia State.

It’s doubtful the Trojans’ scouting report placed much emphasis on McKinney; she was previously averaging just one point per game and was 1-for-21 on 3-pointers.

Against VUU’s most bitter rival, McKinney evolved from the shadows to the spotlight. Helping her team rally from an early seven-point deficit, she hit three of six from beyond the arc and finished with a career high 13 points.

For good measure, the Texan added three steals as VUU improved to 21-1 overall and 12-1 in the CIAA.

“I came out hoping for a breakthrough, and my teammates fired me up,” McKinney said. “I knew they were expecting more from me.”

VUU Coach AnnMarie Gilbert praised McKinney and her entire bench.

“We’re very deep ... we’ve got 17 weapons and we can’t use them all every game,” Coach Gilbert said.

McKinney transferred to VUU last year from Louisburg, N.C., College. Coach Gilbert “discovered” McKinney playing against the Panthers in a preseason exhibition.

Another backup making noise against VSU was 5-foot-11 Destiny Gardner with six points and six rebounds.

The native Mississippian’s power play inside helped make up for the loss of Ifunanya Okoye, who left the game with an undisclosed injury.

While McKinney and Gardner’s production may not have been anticipated, VUU got its usual show-stopping output from Shareka McNeill. Few athletes can fire up a crowd and break the hearts of the opposition like McNeill.

The exciting sophomore guard hit five 3-pointers, scored 22 points and is well on her way to being CIAA Player of the Year. Previous CIAA Players of Year under Coach Gilbert were Kiana Johnson, Lady Walker and Alexis Johnson.

Few teams around the country are hotter. VUU has won 13 straight and hasn’t lost since a 62-59 defeat at Claflin on Dec. 6.

The Lady Panthers’ fans looking to make travel plans might jot down these dates:

Feb. 25-March 2: CIAA tournament, Charlotte, N.C.

March 15-19: Division II Atlantic Region, TBA.

Also ...

March 26-29: Elite Eight: Columbus, Ohio.

No mountain seems to steep for this group of talented women. VUU is a combined 105-12 in four seasons  under Coach Gilbert, advancing to the NCAAs each season, including the championship game in 2017.