Phillips' 32 Points Not Enough in Buccaneer's Loss to SUNO
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Virgin Islands (6-11, 4-8) | 35 | 45 | 80 |
|
Southern University at New Orleans (LA) (9-13, 8-5) | 42 | 46 | 88 |
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, January 31, 2025 – Junior guard Amayoa'ah Phillips' 32-point performance was not enough in a hard-fought battle as the University of the Virgin Islands Buccaneers fell to Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) 88-80 on Thursday evening at the Castle in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a fierce battle and a momentary lead late in the game, the Buccaneers fell short, reflecting the tight competitive nature of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).
Phillips' stellar performance marked his third 30-point game of the season. The reigning Offensive Player of the Week in the HBCUAC showcased his elite scoring ability by contributing 21 of his 32 points in the second half, leading his team's late-game surge.
The Buccaneers fell behind by 10 points in the first half but fought to remain within striking distance, setting the stage for what would be an eventful second half of basketball. Entering the break, the Buccaneers were trailing 42-35.
SUNO extended its lead to 13 points early in the second half in an attempt to pull away, but the Buccaneers stormed back with a 19-4 run, taking the lead for the first time since early in the first half of play. A three-point shot by senior guard Jalil Langston gave the Buccaneers the advantage 66-64 with 10:02 left in the game. The teams battled closely until the final minutes; however, back-to-back empty possessions by the Buccaneers late in the game allowed SUNO to pull away as they capitalized on their end of the floor to secure the victory.
Interim head coach Kevin Sheppard acknowledged the intense competition, stating, "It was a well-played game between two talented teams. We fought hard to get back into the game, and I was proud of our effort, but in the end, we didn't make the winning plays. In the final minutes, it's not about who's the better team, but who executes. We had our chances, but we didn't capitalize."
Besides Phillips's notable performance, three other Buccaneers contributed significantly to the team. Langston scored 15 points, while senior forward Nico Thomas poured in 13 points and nine rebounds, just one board shy of his second double-double of the season. Sophomore guard Chad Molloy had an all-around performance as he recorded 10 points, five assists, and a sensational six steals.
The Buccaneers will now look ahead to their next matchup against Dillard University at Dent Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 1, 2025. The game presents another opportunity for the team to bounce back and potentially start a late-season rally that will be pivotal in the conference standings.
