RALEIGH, N.C. (Jan. 17) - Saint Augustine's University mounted a furious rally in the fourth period, but the comeback fell just short in an 81-77 CIAA women's basketball loss to Virginia Union at Emery Gymnasium on Monday. 

The Lady Falcons, with the aid of their pressure defense, steadily chipped away at a 17-point deficit in the fourth period. The margin shrank to five with a minute remaining and suddenly to two with 12 seconds left on a steal and layup by Milequa Eason (Sr./Woodland, NC).  

The Lady Panthers (2-2 CIAA, 3-6 overall) needed two free throws with nine seconds left to hold off the Lady Falcons (1-4 CIAA, 5-8 overall). 

The Lady Falcons outscored the Lady Panthers 28-18 in the last period to almost pull off victory. Jada Swafford (Sr./Alexandria, LA) scored 10 points and Eason added seven in the fourth to spark SAU. 

Swafford finished with 18 points to lead four SAU double-figure scorers. Eason and Lauren Banks (Fr./Clinton, MD) each scored 11 and Raquel Cassidy (Jr./Gainesville, FL) contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. 

Ny Langley scored 20 points and Darryn Zeigler added 18 points for the Lady Panthers, who had four players score in double figures. 

The contest was close in the second period until the Lady Panthers pulled away right before halftime for a 49-36 lead. They led by double digits until late in the game when the Lady Falcons made their run. 

The Lady Falcons hit the court again Wednesday against Johnson C. Smith in a CIAA Southern Division tilt at Emery Gymnasium. The contest begins at 5:30 p.m.