Byerson Leads Top-Seeded Virginia Union Past Virginia State
February 28, 2008
CHARLOTTE, NC - Brad Byerson scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for top-seeded Virginia Union, which cruised to a 76-66 victory over eighth-seeded Virginia State in the CIAA Men's Basketball quarterfinals on Thursday (Feb. 28) at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. The 27 points tied a season-high for Byerson.
The win sends the Panthers (22-6 overall) to Friday's semifinal game at 9 p.m. The Panthers, winners of a league-high 17 CIAA titles, have reached the CIAA semifinals for the sixth straight season. They beat the Trojans (11-18) for the 15th straight time, a streak that dates back to 2002.
Byerson, a 6-foot-7, 250-pound senior forward, scored in the paint on layups and soft jumpers. A 2008 All-CIAA pick, Byerson made 12-of-15 shots from the floor, 3-of-6 free throw attempts and had a team-high four steals. Tim Young added 15 points off the bench for the Panthers, who never trailed.
Byerson set the tone for the Panthers, scoring 15 points in the first half. The Panthers went on a 10-2 run in the last 3:31 of the first half to lead 36-18 at halftime. The Panthers made 14-of-21 shots for 66.7 percent while the Trojans shot 6-for-32 for 18.8 percent in the first half.
The Panthers led 53-33 with 10:03 remaining in the game before the Trojans made a late run with their reserves. The Trojans cut the score to 62-49 with 7:15 left but the Panthers pushed their lead to 22 points five minutes later.
The Panthers shot 53.8 percent for the game, while the Trojans shot 29.6 percent.
Leon Willis had 15 points and eight rebounds and Trey Mines added 10 points for the Trojans, who edged Saint Paul's 57-54 the night before on Jamar Fleming's 35-foot bank shot as time expired.
The Trojans won on a miracle shot but could produce no magic against the Panthers.
