Story courtesy of the CIAA

BALTIMORE – Eric Butler scored 21 points and Jaquantae Harris added 19 points as the Vikings fell to the top-ranked VUU Panthers 75-64 at the 2023 CIAA Championships. 

Robert Osborne and Keleaf Tate each pumped in 26 points as top seed Virginia Union pulled away in the second half to top the No. 9 seed Elizabeth City State. The Vikings trailed 31-29 at the half. The Panthers opened a 19-point lead in the second half and the margin stayed in double digits the rest of the way.

Raemaad Wright added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Panthers, who advanced to Friday's semifinals. The Northern Division champ and last season's CIAA runner-up, the Panthers (23-6 overall) will face the Winston-Salem State-Claflin winner.

The trio of Osborne, Tate and Wright combined to score 66 of the Panthers' 75 points. Wright added 11 rebounds, Osborne had eight rebounds and Tate collected four steals.

The Vikings concluded their season at 13-16 overall.