Virginia Union Basketball Teams Finish Strong in 2025 CIAA Tournament
March 20, 2025
As the final buzzer sounded on the 2024-25 CIAA Tournament, Virginia Union University stood tall, proud of the remarkable efforts displayed by both its men's and women's basketball teams. While neither squad left the tournament with a championship trophy in hand, they finished with something far greater—stories of resilience, teamwork, and unwavering Panther pride.
Men’s Basketball: A Battle to the Final Second
For the VUU men's basketball team, their tournament journey came to an emotional end in a nail-biting matchup against Fayetteville State. In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish, the Panthers fell just short, losing by a narrow 69-66 margin.
The energy inside the arena was electric as senior guard Bobby Gardner led the charge, pouring in an impressive 24 points. Right beside him was Jonathan King, whose 22 points and clutch playmaking helped keep the Panthers within striking distance. Defensively, Jonathan King and Keysean Faulkner-Smith anchored the paint, each grabbing six critical rebounds that kept VUU in the fight until the very end.
But despite their determination and strategic execution, the Panthers couldn’t quite overcome the experience and depth of a seasoned Fayetteville State squad.
After the game, Head Coach Jay Butler reflected on the gravity of the moment.
"After the game, this was one of the toughest locker rooms that I've been in in my 20+ years," Butler shared, his voice heavy with emotion. "Fayetteville State is one of the toughest teams in the CIAA. They're a great group of kids. I watched that team grow over the years. They're a senior-laden team, and we stood toe-to-toe with them."
Though the loss stung, the effort was undeniable. The Panthers walked off the court with heads held high, knowing they had given everything they had.
Women’s Basketball: A Season to Remember
The VUU women’s basketball team made a powerful statement throughout the season, culminating in a deep tournament run that ended in the semifinals with a hard-fought 62-53 loss. With a final season record of 21-7, the Lady Panthers proved themselves to be a force in the CIAA.
In the semifinal matchup, Nevaeh Reaves led the offense with 16 points, demonstrating her signature intensity and poise under pressure. Rori Cox contributed 12 points, while Tatiana Jones added another 11, ensuring the Panthers remained competitive throughout the game. Defensively, Maia Charles was relentless on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds and providing the grit that has defined the team all year.
Following the game, Head Coach Tierra Terry reflected on the journey that brought her team to this moment.
"I would like to thank God for the ups and downs, the good and the bad, and for the lessons that He's instilled in us. He took us this far, so I can't be too upset about it. I'm still proud of this team," Coach Terry said.
"Twenty-one wins is a great accomplishment. I'm really proud of these young women, even though we started off with a really bad first quarter. But I was really proud of them for fighting as hard as they did. They never gave up."
And that’s what defined this season for both VUU squads—unmatched tenacity and heart.
Though the tournament didn’t end with a championship banner, Virginia Union University's basketball programs reminded everyone watching that success is measured by more than just the scoreboard. It’s measured by growth, perseverance, and the love of the game. And by those standards, the Panthers are champions through and through.