UVI Men’s Basketball Team Bounces Back with Dominant Win over Kuyper
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kuyper College | 33 | 39 | 72 |
|
Virgin Islands | 46 | 51 | 97 |
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneer men's basketball team bounced back in a dominant victory over the Kuyper College Cougars, securing a 97-72 win at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Thursday evening. A sensational turnaround allowed the Buccaneers to recover from their initial slow start and outplay the Cougars convincingly.
UVI (6-9, 4-7 HBCUAC) faced a sluggish start, falling behind early as Kuyper scored the first five points after the Buccaneers missed their initial four shots. However, a critical 15-0 run initiated by UVI shifted the momentum in their favor, leading to a commanding victory. By halftime, the Buccaneers had established a solid 46-33 lead, maintaining control for the remainder of the game.
In the second half, UVI's strong performance proved too much for their opponents, with junior guard Amayoa'ah Phillips and senior guard Jalil Langston leading the explosive Buccaneer offense that scored 51 points in the half. The team shot an impressive 47.5% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range.
Defensively, the Buccaneers won the turnover battle 23-9, converting turnovers into 30 points. Senior guard Shirmoy O'Garro, junior forward Eliyah Stevens, and Phillips each recorded four steals.
Phillips and Langston showcased their elite scoring abilities, as the duo combined for 56 of the team's 97 points. Phillips led all scorers with 32 points, while Langston added 24 points in UVI's outstanding offensive performance. Sophomore guard Chad Molloy contributed to teammates' success as he dished out six assists.
Interim head coach Kevin Sheppard shared his thoughts on the win, "I'm very proud of the team, we shared the ball well and had less than 10 turnovers. However, by no means did we play a perfect game. We got off to a slow start at the beginning of the game, but we talked it over at halftime and came out ready to go in the second half. It feels good to get the win, but there's room for improvement."
On January 25, the two teams will face off again as Kuyper returns to the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. As the Buccaneers prepare for this next encounter, they look to build on their current momentum and continue their path toward a successful season.
Photo Credit:
Deon A. Webster of TAB Studios
