The 2,256 fans at Barco-Stevens Hall almost witnessed something rare Saturday –a Virginia Union home loss.

The Panthers, NCAA Division II’s top-ranked team, usually run CIAA opponents out of their gym once the game begins. Saint Augustine’s College was having none of that, however. In fact, the Falcons had the Panthers on the ropes in overtime, holding a six-point lead with 2 minutes left. But the Panthers staged a late rally to pull out a nailbiting 77-76 win Saturday.

The game ended when Nicholas King’s short jumper from the corner went halfway down before popping out with no time remaining. That’s how close the Falcons came to pulling off a major upset against the defending NCAA Division II and CIAA champion.

Despite their second straight road loss to a Virginia team in a week, the contest gives the Western Division co-leading Falcons (14-5 overall, 8-4 CIAA) confidence they can play with Virginia Union or any other opponent with the CIAA Tournament fast approaching.

The first half was all Virginia Union as the Panthers opened a 46-35 halftime lead. But this game would be anything but routine for the Panthers (17-2 overall, 10-1 CIAA). The Falcons opened the second half on fire, tying the game within five minutes at 48-all on Terry Sumter’s lay-in.

The young gunners consisting of Nicholas King, Claude Neeley and Antonio Fitzgerald each drilled a 3-pointer during the spurt.

The game went back and forth from that point as the tension built in the gym. With the score tied at 66, Fitzgerald shot a deep 3-pointer for a chance to win but misfired as time expired, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Falcons grabbed a 76-70 lead with 2 minutes remaining on Deon Dixon’s short jumper. But Union cut the margin to 76-75 on a three-pointer and two free throws setting the stage for the final seconds.

Fitzgerald appeared to be fouled while driving the lane but no call was made. Instead the ball was stolen and a pass to a streaking Darius Hargrove resulted in a two-handed dunk with 17 seconds left that gave Union a 77-76 lead. The contest wasn’t decided, however, until King’s close miss at the buzzer.

Fitzgerald, the CIAA scoring leader, had a great all-around effort with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals at the guard spot. Neeley, the CIAA No. 2 scorer and top rebounder, had 21 points along with 8 rebounds and King, the league’s No. 3 scorer, added 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Barry Jones was the other Falcons’ double-figure scorer with 13 points.

Duan Crockett led Virginia Union with 29 points and 15 rebounds. The Falcons return to CIAA Western Division play Feb. 7 (Tuesday) in a home contest against Winston-Salem State. Game time is 7:30 p.m.