Kierra Neal (L) and Kaya Evans (R) celebrate the eventual win during a timeout.

Posted: Oct 29, 2021

WBK Resilient in Season-Opening Road Win

Virgin Islands

(1-0, 1-0)

Morris

(0-1, 0-1)

Final

Virgin Islands (1-0, 1-0)

Morris (0-1, 0-1)

SUMTER, S.C. The University of the Virgin Islands Women's Basketball Team defined what it means to "BUC UP" in its 52-48 season-opening road win over Morris College in Continental Athletic Conference action Friday evening.

The Buccaneers led by as many as 12 points with nearly five minutes to play, but the Hornets made it a one-possession, 50-48 game with 24 seconds remaining, while UVI played with just four players for the final two minutes. However, Mia Davis delivered a dagger in the form of a layup and then corralled the defensive rebound on the next Morris possession to cement the victory.

Kaya Evans had a game-high 24 points and Kierra Neal had 15 to help guide Head Coach Lynika "Niki" Collins to her first win in her first game at UVI.

THE ESSENTIALS

Final Score: University of the Virgin Islands def. Morris College, 52-48

Records: UVI Women's 1-0; Morris Women's 0-2

Location: Garrick-Boykin Human Development Center; Sumter, S.C.

Date: October 29, 2021

HOW IT HAPPENED

From the middle of the third quarter to the fourth, Evans and Neal traded baskets to the tune of 16 straight points from either No. 23 or No. 24 for UVI. Evans' three-pointer early in the fourth gave UVI its first double-digit lead, putting the Buccaneers ahead at 45-35.
With 5:05 remaining in the game, a three-pointer from Neal represented UVI's largest lead at 48-36. Neal's basket was the punctuation on a 10-2 run that saw the Buccaneers' edge grow from 38-34 to 48-36.
After cutting the deficit to 48-41 with 2:02 left, Morris' comeback was further aided by two Buccaneers fouling out, leaving UVI to play with just four players. The Hornets promptly went on a 7-2 run before Davis' timely field goal.
Tied at 23 three minutes before halftime, Neal found Evans for a three-pointer for what would be the eighth and final lead change of the game. Neal assisted on two other Evans' three-pointers in the second quarter. The first instance tied the game at 17 and the second gave UVI its first lead of the quarter, pushing the Buccaneers ahead 20-19.

STAT FACTS

The Buccaneers were already shorthanded after two UVI players did not dress for the game. Evans, Davis, and Lynnea Pugh played all 40 minutes while Neal played all but one minute in the game.
Evans had 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field, including four made three-pointers. She also had four rebounds and three steals.
In addition to being the team's second-leading scorer on 6-of-12 shooting, Neal had a game-high four assists and was second on the team with five rebounds. She also scored the first field goal of the season for UVI with a three.
The 5'4" Davis had a team-high 10 rebounds, including four offensive boards, plus she had seven points, three steals, and three assists. She also scored the first point of the season with a made free throw for a 1-0 lead.
Kashay Bass had six points and five rebounds, plus two assists and two steals while Pugh added five boards and a team-high four steals. Kaeani Berry had three rebounds and an assist in her 20 minutes of action.
UVI held Morris to 31.3 percent (15-of-48) from the field. The Hornets had 26 total free throws, which was double the amount that UVI had (13) but Morris was only able to convert those free throws to 14 points.
Diamond Steward led the Hornets with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting and a game-high 15 rebounds, including five offensive boards. She also added four steals.

UP NEXT

The Buccaneers and Hornets return to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. in conference play.
Up next for UVI is the inaugural UVI HBCU Basketball Classic. November 3rd is the first day of the tournament and UVI hosts Arkansas Baptist.