News Release

RICHMOND, Va. — Junior guard Darius Hargrove totaled 19 points, four assists, and five steals to lead the host Virginia Union University men’s basketball team to a 78-57 win over Randolph-Macon College in non-conference action on Tuesday, December 7. Hargrove shot 6-for-11 (54.5%) from the floor, including 3-of-5 (60.0%) three-pointers, and made all four of his foul shot attempts. Also for the Panthers, senior guard Luqman Jaaber had 17 points, four assists, and a game-high six steals. He was 3-for-3 at the free throw line.

The win improved the Panthers to a perfect 5-0 overall this season. Virginia Union is currently ranked first in NCAA Division II. The Division III Yellow Jackets dropped to 3-3 on the season. The Yellow Jackets have been receiving votes in recent D3hoops.com website polls.

Things went back and forth in the first half, with six lead changes and eight ties. The biggest advantage for either team was five points, with Randolph-Macon leading 14-9 4:30 into the contest. Virginia Union was up by just one point at halftime, 34-33.

Everything would change in the second half, as Virginia Union went on a 32-2 run and led by 31 points, 66-35, a little over midway through the period. Randolph-Macon did not quit, outscoring the Panthers 22-12 over the last nine minutes. But it was not enough.

Following the performances by Virginia Union’s Hargrove and Jaaber, senior forwards Ralph Brown and Antwan Walton and junior forward Duan Crockett each scored 12 points. Brown also pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds, while Walton grabbed 11 rebounds. Crockett made 6-of-7 (85.7%) free throws.

Randolph-Macon was led by junior guard Patrick Gill, with a season and team-high 19 points, a career and game-high seven assists, and a career-high seven rebounds. Junior forward Justin Wansley totaled 17 points and seven rebounds.