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LADY PANTHERS ARE CIAA CHAMPS!

March 08, 2018

Charlotte, N.C. (March 3, 2018) – Tournament's Most Valuable Player Alexis Johnson recorded 21 points (5-of-14) and 18 rebounds to lead the No. 1 Northern Division seed Virginia Union University Lady Panthers pass the No.3 seed Bowie State University Bulldogs,73-57 to capture their forth Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship, Saturday afternoon in the Spectrum Center. 

With the victory, Union also captured win 500 in program history; while receiving and automatic bid to the Division II 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. 

Jasmine Carter recorded the opening four points on lay-ups, followed by a three off the finger-tips of Rachael Pecota within the first 1:45 to give the Lady Panthers a quick 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs added recorded three of their first points at the 4:43 mark off a lay-up and an-one from Kyah Proctor, making it a 7-3 contest. 

Although VUU closed out the quarter leading by 14, (20-6) Bowie continued to fight, outscoring Virginia Union (1-0) second chance points and out-rebounding the Panthers (10-9). Union finished the quarter shooting 77.8 percent (7-of-9) from the field, 66.7 percent (2-of-3) from downtown, and 80 percent from the foul line; while holding the Bulldogs to only 11.8 percent (2-of-17) from the floor and 66.7 percent (2-of-3) from the candy stripe.

The Lady Panthers sustained their intensity throughout the second quarter, taking a 32-16 lead into the locker room, but the Bulldogs kept the poise, outscoring VUU (4-2) in points off turnovers and (2-0) in fast break points. Both teams added six paint points, but Union edged BSU in bench points (7-0) and second chance points (4-2).    

Kyah Proctor and Kiara Colston added a boost for Bowie, recording 10 of the Bulldogs 16 points in the second quarter. BSU closed out the half, shooting 18.2 percent (6-of-33) from the floor and 80 percent (4-of-5) from the foul line; while holding the Lady Panthers to only 30.8 percent (4-of-13) shooting from the field, 20 percent (1-of-5) from behind the arc, and 100 percent (3-of-3) from the candy stripe for the quarter and 50 percent (11-of-22) from the floor, 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from downtown, and 87.5 percent (7-of-8) from the line.

Virginia Union led by as much as 18 during the half; while outscoring the Bowie (16-10) points in the paint, (11-9) points off turnovers, (4-3) second chance points, and (15-3) bench points. The Bulldogs led (2-0) in fast break points.

Bowie tried scraping their way back in it during the third quarter, shooting 40 percent (8-of-20) from the floor, 50 percent (2-of-4) from downtown, and 100 percent (3-of-3) from the foul line. The Bulldogs outscored the Panthers 21-17 for the quarter and (7-4) points off turnovers. Both teams tallied 10 points each in the paint and four fast break points, respectfully.

Union finished the quarter shooting 50 percent (6-of-12) from the field and 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from the candy stripe. The fourth quarter saw no difference as the Panthers took a 24 points lead (71-47) at the 2:18 mark off free-throws from Rejoice Spivey. Bowie State struggled to fight back, but did show some spark, outscoring VUU (12-6) in points in the paint and (9-2) points off turnovers.

For the game, Virginia Union shot 45.7 percent (21-of-46) from the floor, 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from downtown, and 84.4 percent (27-of-32) from the candy stripe; while the Bulldogs shot 29 percent (20-of-69) from the field, 15.4 percent (2-of-13) from behind the arc, and 71.4 percent from the line.

VUU's Rachael Pecota led all scorers with 28 points on (9-of-17) shooting. She also added 10 boards in the win. Kyah Proctor led Bowie State with 22 points; while Kiara Colston chipped in 13 points, respectfully.

The teams collected 32 points each in the paint and 2 points each fast break points, but Union edged the Bulldogs (17-12) in second chance points and (29-14) in bench points. BSU led the Panthers (25-17) in points off turnovers for the game.    

CIAA WOMEN'S ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:

Alexis Johnson – VUU

Kiara Colston – BSU

Chrisanna Green – VSU

Michelle Fitzgerald – LU

Kyaja Williams – BSU

Shareka McNeill – VUU

Shecquan Bailey – LU

Rachael Pecota – VUU

Alex Smith – VSU

Sada Chatman - BSU

Alexis Johnson - TOURNAMENT MVP