Buccaneers Stun Philander Smith in Rematch
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, February 4, 2025 – The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers stunned Philander Smith University 72-69 in a heavily contested rematch at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Tuesday night. The last time the two teams faced off, Philander Smith was victorious 70-54 on the Panthers' home floor.
"We played a full 40 minutes tonight, filled with grit and heart," stated Graduate Assistant Kareem DeGrasse, who stepped in for the interim head coach Kevin Sheppard due to illness. "We executed the winning plays in the final two minutes, and that made all the difference. It was an impressive win for us."
Despite falling behind early and trailing 18-13 midway through the first half, UVI (7-13, 5-10 HBCUAC) rallied behind a stellar 12-point, first-half performance by Chad Molloy, who shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. Molloy's offensive contributions in the opening period propelled the Buccaneers to a 41-38 lead at halftime.
Philander Smith started the second half strong with a 9-0 run, looking to dominate the game. However, UVI's Amayoa'ah Phillips, the reigning HBCUAC Offensive Player of the Week, had other plans. Phillips took charge, scoring 16 of UVI's next 20 points, fueling the Buccaneers' offensive momentum. The game became a back-and-forth battle between conference rivals, with neither team holding a lead of more than 3 points in the final eight minutes. It was a thrilling and intense matchup as both teams fought hard to get the win.
The thrilling contest featured nine ties and eight lead changes. A pivotal three-point shot by senior forward Edwin Solis ultimately secured the victory for the Buccaneers, giving them the lead for the final time at 71-69 with just 4:02 remaining on the clock. Following Solis' clutch shot, the game turned into a defensive battle, with neither team able to score until Jalil Langston sank a crucial free throw with just 5 seconds left, extending the Buccaneers' lead to 72-69. The Panthers desperately tried to advance the ball for one last shot attempt to tie the game and force overtime. Molloy's tenacious defense proved to be the difference-maker though, as he disrupted the Panthers' final play, knocking the ball loose and securing the victory for the Buccaneers before they got off a shot.
Phillips finished the game with 28 points and nine rebounds. Molloy was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for the game, recording 17 points, three assists, and three steals, while senior forward Nico Thomas contributed 10 rebounds. The Buccaneers will now have 10 days off before their next match-up on February 15 when they play host to Tougaloo College at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The team will look to avenge their 87-73 loss when the teams last met on January 20.
Photo by: Touch A button Studios and Photo Services
