Lady Buccaneers Come up Short in Loss to Wilberforce
Wilberforce, Ohio, December 16, 2024 – The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women's basketball team came up short in a 68-56 loss to Wilberforce University at the Gaston Lewis Arena in the Historically Black College and University Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Crossover. The Lady Buccaneers competed fiercely but were unable to defeat the host team.
UVI (0-4, 0-3 HBCUAC) fell behind early in the game as their opponents jumped out to a 24-14 lead in the first period. Despite several attempts by the Lady Bulldogs to pull away, the Lady Buccaneers fought their way back into the game, cutting the lead down to five in the second quarter. However, that would be as close as the Buccaneers would get as their opponents would cruise to victory in the second half.
Senior guard Jordan Carter led the team with a season-high 16 points, showcasing her versatility with crucial rebounds and an impressive six steals, highlighting her defensive skills. Other standout performances came from Lameez Khan, who contributed 13 points and seven rebounds, and Ashukamay'ah Phillips, who scored 11 points.
"We had our best outing of the weekend so far. The team showed improvement in various areas and we were able to achieve most of our game goals," remarked head coach Stephanie Cooper. She commended Carter's exceptional performance off the bench, acknowledging her role in keeping the team competitive throughout the game.
The Lady Buccaneers are now focused on their next challenge. They are set to face the reigning HBCUAC Champions, Rust College, at Gaston Lewis Arena in the team's final game of the HBCUAC Crossover on December 17, 2024. Coach Cooper is optimistic about the upcoming game, stressing the importance of maintaining high energy and securing defensive stops to secure the victory.
