Kiara Jones scored a career high 16 points but it was not enough as University of Mount Olive fell to Virginia Union 95-67 Saturday afternoon inside Kornegay Arena in Mount Olive, N.C. Shy'Lia Buie and Daria Simmons both scored in double figures to help the Trojans.
Mount Olive (1-2) picked up the game's first points as Jada Bacchus was fouled and split a pair of free throws to give the Trojans the early lead. Virginia Union (3-0) however, exploded as the Panthers went on a 14-0 run capped off by a three-pointer by Kiana Johnson.
Jones stoped the run and picked up back-to-back layups to put the run to a hault and the Trojans trailed 14-7 with under five to play in the first quarter. The Panther lead never fell below four for the remainder of the quarter.
After a Arieal Johnson layup, Virginia Union went on another run this time an eight point run and the lead grew to 29-15. The lead swelled up to 12 as the Panthers ended the first have with four straight free throws and took a 45-32 score into the break.
Mount Olive was never allowed to get closer than four as Virginia Union kept a 20 point lead for most of the second half.
For Mount Olive Jones added eight boards to go with her career high point night. Simmions and Buie tied with 11 points a piece to round out the Trojans in double figures.Johnson had a near double-double as she finished with seven points and nine boards.
Mount Olive will hit the road as the Trojans open up Conference Carolinas play in Banner Elk, N.C. The Trojans will go against the Bobcats on Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m.