Staff report

SALISBURY — Virginia Union’s women’s basketball team caught fire in the third quarter on Wednesday and took a 24-point lead against Livingstone at New Trent Gym.

The Blue Bears almost caught up by forcing a flurry of turnovers, but the Panthers held on to win 79-73 in CIAA action.

The difference-maker for VUU (8-3, 3-0) was Neveah Reaves. She was 4-for-5 on 3-pointers and scored 22 points. Maia Chambers had 14 points and 10 boards.

Morgan Kelson had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead Livingstone (3-7, 1-1). Thalia Carter scored 16, Samiyah Briggs had 11, and Nielle Reaves contributed 10.

The visitors out-shot Livingstone — 43.3 percent to 33.8 percent — and had a 41-31 edge on the boards.

Livingstone made it close by doing a nice job at the foul line (19-for-24).

Virginia Union     26   14   22   17   — 79

Livingstone           13    17   25  18   — 73

LC scoring — Kelson 18, Carter 16, Briggs 11, Reaves 10, Bates 7, Griffith 7, Gray 2, Williams 1.