Staff report

RICHMOND, Va. — Livingstone fell to Virginia Union, 87-77, here Thursday night in CIAA men’s basketball action.

The game was tied at halftime, 31-31, but the Panthers (2-3, 1-0) shot better in the second half, outscoring the Blue Bears (3-2, 0-1) by 10, 56-46.

Senior guard Roger Ray led Livingstone with 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-8 from behind the 3-point arc. Forward Malik Smith scored 12 points and had a team-high nine rebounds.

Virginia Union held LC’s 6-9 Elmore twins, Lydell and Navar, to 8 and 5 points, respectively.

Terrell Leach paced the Panthers with 27 points, followed by Raemaad Wright’s double-double — 20 points and 10 boards.

In the women’s game, Virginia Union crushed Livingstone, 92-55.

After a close first quarter at 25-22, the defending CIAA champion Panthers owned the second quarter, 18-3, and continued the torrid rampage in the second half.

Junior guard Shareka McNeill scored 55 points for VUU (3-1), connecting on 18-of-31 shots, including 9-of-18 from 3-point land. She also made 10-of-15 free throws.

McNeill tied a CIAA Tournament record last March with 59 points — also against Livingstone.

LC (1-2) had four players in double figures — Daisa Harris (16), Adel Allen (12), Darra Walker (10) and Daijah Turner (10).

Livingstone’s teams will host Bowie State in a home-opening doubleheader on Monday, the women’s game set to tip-off at 5:30 p.m.