
Jamal Norris’ Game-High 28 Not Enough Against Warner
ST. THOMAS, V.I. Jamal Norris had a fantastic performance with 28 points on just 16 attempts but the University of the Virgin Islands Men's Basketball was defeated by visiting Warner University, 82-63, on the second night of the UVI HBCU Basketball Classic.
Norris had 18 of his 28 in the second half as the Buccaneers tried to claw back from a 35-24 halftime deficit. All told, Norris was 8-of-16 from the field and 5-of-10 from deep. He also made seven-of-eight free throws and had eight rebounds and three assists.
Turnovers were the biggest issue for a second night in the row for this UVI team. The Buccaneers surrendered 39 points to the Royals on 30 UVI turnovers. Meanwhile, Warner had just 11 turnovers and allowed 12 points off of them.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Warner University def. The University of the Virgin Islands, 82-63
Records: UVI Men's 0-4; Warner 3-0
Location: UVI Sports & Fitness Center; St. Thomas, V.I.
Date: November 4, 2021
Event: Day 2 of the Inaugural UVI HBCU Basketball Classic, which features 12 games over the course of three days.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Three minutes into the second half and a 10-2 Warner run ballooned its lead to 45-26. Norris tried to keep the offense moving for the Buccaneers. He stopped the Royals' run with a jumper and then found Richardson for a layup. He added four made free throws in the span of 11 seconds to cut the deficit to 45-34 with 15:15 remaining.
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However, the Royals' Mercer answered with an untimely (for UVI) three. That was the start of a game-clinching 15-0 run for Warner. UVI coughed up the ball on three consecutive possessions, which resulted in two dunks and a layup in transition, and a 60-34 deficit. From that point on, Norris added 12 points on a perfect four-for-four shooting and two assists.
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The Buccaneers were engineering some easy looks early on and were making the most of them. The first four field goals for UVI were a pair of dunks from LiWayne Richardson, a Denny Gonzalez layup, and a dunk from Will Boyd. Norris connected on his three-pointer for an 11-6 lead and added two more threes in the first half, helping UVI to a 17-11 advantage midway through. A Will Boyd putback made it 20-13 and later, Gonzalez followed up his missed shot with an offensive rebound and a dunk for a 22-18 lead
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However, besides the Gonzalez dunk, the last eight minutes belonged to Warner. The first half closed on a 21-4 run for Warner. A steal and layup in transition tied the game at 22. The next three defensive possessions for the Royals resulted in them earning steals and the buckets for a 29-22 lead. Darryl Mercer added a pair of threes for the halftime tally of 35-24.
STAT FACTS
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UVI actually shot well from the field (24-of-53; 45 percent) and from deep (5-of-11; 45.5 percent) but turnovers resulted in the Buccaneers attempting 23 fewer shots.
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Richardson had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. His five blocks were tied for the game-high. Boyd recorded his third double-double in four games with 13 points and 13 boards, including six offensive rebounds.
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Gonzalez was the only player on the UVI bench to score, finishing the game with four points, three assists, and two steals.
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Mercer finished with 24 on 9-of-23 shooting for the Royals.
UP NEXT
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The Buccaneers tip-off at 8:30 p.m. Friday against Huston-Tillotson University on the final day of the inaugural UVI HBCU Basketball Classic. General admission tickets are still available.
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Warner and Wilberforce University will be the first set of teams in action on Friday when they take the court at 2 p.m. for the UVI HBCU Basketball Classic.