Fourth Quarter Derails Night
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Virgin Islands (5-2, 3-2) | 10 | 15 | 21 | 10 | 56 |
|
Wilberforce (6-4) | 13 | 13 | 22 | 25 | 73 |
WILBERFORCE, Ohio A fourth quarter where everything went right for host Wilberforce University led to the Bulldogs' 73-56 win over the University of the Virgin Islands Women's Basketball team in Continental Athletic Conference action Friday afternoon.
While things went right for the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers had everything go wrong after entering the period trailing 48-46. Wilberforce went on a 12-0 run to take command of the game with a 60-46 lead with seven minutes remaining.
Kierra Neal led UVI with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting and three-of-four shooting from behind the arc. She also had five rebounds. Mia Davis, standing at 5'4", led all players with 14 rebounds, including four on the offensive end.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Wilberforce def. The University of the Virgin Islands, 73-56
Records: UVI Women's 5-2; Wilberforce 6-4
Location: Gaston Lewis Gymnasium; Wilberforce, Ohio
Date: November 19, 2021
HOW IT HAPPENED
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A pair of three-pointers had the game tied at 46. Kaya Evans found Amber Appiah-Kubi for three before finding Neal for the tie score. Before the third-quarter buzzer, Wilberforce added a fastbreak layup to take a 48-46 lead.
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The Bulldogs' 12-0 run to begin the fourth quarter was aided by five turnovers in the three-minute span from the Buccaneers. Altogether, Wilberforce had a 26-10 edge in points off turnovers.
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With 6:47 on the clock, UVI got its first points on the quarter with a three-pointer from Neal on an assist from Melea Lovelace to cut the deficit to 60-49. This time, Wilberforce responded with a 10-0 run to gain its largest lead (69-49) of the game. The Buccaneers' second field goal came from Davis with 2:51 remaining and Appiah-Kubi dropped in the third field goal with 2:07 left and the score at 69-53.
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With 4:05 remaining in the third quarter, Lovelace drove and found Davis late in the shot clock for a very easy layup to tie the game at 38. The last time the Buccaneers held the lead was with 6:19 left in the period. In a sea of post players, Davis came up with a rebound and made the pass ahead to a streaking Neal for a 34-32 advantage. Previously in the third quarter, Lovelace put UVI ahead 32-30 with a three.
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Neal had her fingerprints all on the second quarter, scoring 11 of the team's 15 points. Neal opened the period with a three to tie. She moved the Buccaneers ahead, 15-13, with a layup following an Appiah-Kubi steal at halfcourt. Later in the frame, Neal logged a block, got the rebound, and took it all the way for a layup. She added a pair of jumpers in the quarter, as well.
STAT FACTS
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Appiah-Kubi finished second on the team with 14 points. Lovelace had 12 points, two steals, and a team-high four assists.
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Kaeani Berry's eight rebounds were second on the team and she had a team-high two blocks.
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UVI was outrebounded 45-34 by the Bulldogs. Wilberforce had a 20-8 edge in offensive boards.
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Nia McCormick led the Bulldogs with 16 points and nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
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Awaiting the Buccaneers in Ohio is Central State University. UVI takes on the Marauders on November 20 at 1 p.m. EST.
