Okoye’s Double-Double Leads VUU to Win

December 17, 2018

Virginia Union University's Ifunanya Okoye, playing in front of her former teammates from Richmond's Banner Christian School, recorded her first college double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead VUU to an 82-64 win over Livingstone College on Saturday, December 15, at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

Okoye led VUU in scoring while another Lady Panther, Jasmine Carter, had a double-double of her own with a team-high 15 rebounds and 14 points.

VUU's Rejoice Spivey scored 13 points while Nicole Floyd added 12 points.

Virginia Union's Shameka McNeill, returning to the court for the first time since tearing her Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the 2018 CIAA Championship game, scored 11 points.

"I was very pleased with the overall effort of our team today, having five players in double figures," said VUU Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert.  "The play of freshman Iffy Okoye and the return of sophomore Shameka McNeill were the key.  Iffy has really stepped up and shown she can be an immediate impact player.  Shameka McNeill made an awesome return and is such a spark off the bench.  She can play all three guard positions and is a tenacious defender.  Jasmine Carter dominated the glass too."

The win raised the Lady Panthers' record to 9-1 overall and 1-1 in the CIAA.  Livingstone fell to 3-7 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA.

Virginia Union now has off until January 4, 2019, when the Lady Panthers will face Saint Augustine's University at 6:00 p.m. at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.