Harding scores most points by a Panther since 1990
Fred Jeter | 12/14/2023, 6 p.m.
Virginia Union University enjoyed the CIAA’s top scorer a year ago in Robert Osborne.
With Osborne having graduated, the Panthers may have another scoring champ this year in Tahj Harding.
On Dec. 3, Harding knocked the dust off the basketball record book, scoring 47 points in a 92-90, triple-overtime loss at Augusta University, Ga.
“Tahj played one of the best games that I have ever seen as a player or coach at Virginia Union,” said VUU Coach Jay Butler, who also is a former point guard for the school.
The 6-foot-5 junior from Ohio hit 15 of 32 field goals, six of nine from behind the arc and 11 of 14 free throws. He added six rebounds, two assists and two steals in the busy night.
It was the most points by a Panther since A.J. English tallied 54 in a game against St. Augustine’s in 1990. English would go on to lead NCAA Division II in scoring with 30 points per night.
Harding’s explosion marked the first time a VUU player had reached 40 since Terrell Leach in 2020.
The all-time, one-game mark of 62 was set by Mike Davis in 1968 against Hampton.
Osborne led the CIAA a year ago with a 20.2 scoring norm. After 10 games for the 5-5 Panthers, Harding topped the league with a 20.9 average.
Johnson C. Smith’s Avery Huggins was right behind him at 20.2.
Livingstone’s Pharoah Lassiter is now second in CIAA scoring behind Harding with 20 points per game.
