Buccaneers Drop back-to-back games at Dillard
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Virgin Islands (6-14, 4-11) | 30 | 39 | 69 |
|
Dillard (LA) (16-7, 12-3) | 40 | 44 | 84 |
New Orleans, Louisiana, February 3, 2025 – The University of the Virgin Islands men's basketball team suffered their second consecutive defeat at the hands of Dillard University at the Albert W. Dent Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers were defeated 84-69 on Sunday evening, following a 94-89 loss on Saturday afternoon.
During Sunday's game, UVI (6-13, 4-10 HBCUAC) trailed early and struggled to keep up with Dillard. Despite battling back to stay within striking distance for most of the first half, the Buccaneers entered halftime down 40-30. In the second half, they managed to reduce the deficit to a two-possession game at 63-57, but were unable to close the gap as Dillard extended their lead to secure the victory.
Junior guard Amayoa'ah Phillips put on another impressive performance, scoring 32 points and grabbing six rebounds. Phillips, the reigning HBCUAC Offensive Player of the Week, has now scored 30 points in three consecutive games.
The initial meeting between the two teams was a closely contested battle, with 10 ties and 20 lead changes throughout the game. Despite the Buccaneers initially taking a nine-point lead in the first period, Dillard fought back to enter halftime with a slim 44-42 lead. The second half saw the Buccaneers reclaim the lead, but they were unable to maintain it as both teams traded baskets. The game's turning point came with Dillard leading 86-85 with just over three minutes remaining, as several empty possessions and untimely turnovers by the Buccaneers allowed Dillard to pull away and secure the win with a 9-4 run.
Phillips scored a season-high 35 points, while senior guard Jalil Langston contributed 22 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Chad Molloy kept his teammates involved distributing the ball effectively with 11 assists.
"In Saturday's game, we lacked the necessary determination in crucial moments," stated graduate assistant coach Kareem DeGrasse, who stepped in for interim head coach Kevin Sheppard due to illness. "Although we played well overall, we failed to make key plays when it mattered most. Tonight, we started off slow and struggled in the first half of the game. While we improved in the second half, we were unable to close the gap. Returning home will provide us with the opportunity to regroup and prepare for the final stretch of the season.
The Buccaneers will return to the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center for their remaining three games. They will face Philander Smith University on Tuesday, February 4, followed by matchups against Tougaloo University and Wiley University on February 15 and 19, respectively."
