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Virginia Union men top Fayetteville State

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Virginia Union’s Devin Johnson drives the ball up the floor during the first half of their game against Fayetteville State at Barco-Stevens Hall on Jan. 6, 2009.

Dean Hoffmeyer / Times-Dispatch

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RALPH N. PAULK TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: January 7, 2009

Dave Robbins sat behind the basket at Barco-Stevens Hall with his arms folded. He watched anxiously as Virginia Union battled Fayetteville State in a key early-season matchup between CIAA powers.

Even in retirement, Robbins appeared just as engaged as if he were drawing X's and O's on the sideline.

Robbins returned last night to the storied gymnasium for the first time since ending his 30-year, 713-win coaching career last spring. And the university honored him by naming its renovated home floor Robbins Court.

"I'm flattered and honored and very proud to have the court named after our family," said Robbins, who led the Panthers to three NCAA Division II national championships and 13 conference titles. "It's something I'll never forget."

Robbins acknowledged the dedication with only a gracious nod to the crowd, which included members of his three title teams. He and his wife, Bunny, took their seats in the stand without fanfare.

"This is good because I'm not sitting here biting my nails," said Bunny Robbins. "I can enjoy the game and relax -- and he's relaxed."

Robbins' special night inspired a scrappy performance by a Panthers team predicted to finish in middle of the conference pack. But VUU outhustled the Broncos from the opening tip until Robbins took one final bow before exiting the gym.

The Panthers (3-2 CIAA, 6-3), with first-year coach Willard Coker pacing the sideline in the same manner as his mentor, played tenacious man-to-man defense in earning a surprisingly easy 73-58 victory.

Braxton Byerson led VUU with 15 points, and Brandon Byerson (13) and Gregg Thondique (14) combined for 27. Jay Malcolm (12) was the only the Bronco to score double figures.

"I feel good about where the program is right now, and we're better than our record," Robbins said. "I'm seeing a few mistakes, but I saw a lot of mistakes when I coached."

The Panthers, though, were nearly flawless in the second half. They led 34-28 at halftime, then pulled away midway through the second half by limiting the Broncos to one field goal during a stretch of nearly 10 minutes.

"Tonight was special," Coker said. "I think our guys wanted to play well. They had too much energy early, but they settled down in the second half. We did a great job defensively of altering their shots."

Robbins and Coker seemed to relax some after Thondique hammered in a dunk with 13:58 to go to give Virginia Union a 55-45 lead.

Contact Ralph N. Paulk at (804) 649-6851 or .

FAYETTEVILLE STATE (3-2 CIAA, 7-3)

Johnson 2, Gebru 4, Griffin 0, Malcom 12, Hood 5, Robinson 0, Jones 0, Foster 0, Thompson 8, Young 0, Elliott 0, Brown 4, Ross 5, Wooten 6.
VIRGINIA UNION (3-2, 6-3)

Brandon Byerson 13, McDonald 4, Braxton Byerson 15, Cook 6, Thondique 14, Berry 0, Dupuy 1, King 5, Wright 0, Johnson 2, Smith 4, Williams 6, Bond 3.

Halftime: VUU 34-28. 3-point goals: FSU -- Gebru. VUU -- Braxton Byerson (3), Brandon Byerson.