Buccaneers Hold off Wilberforce in Thrilling 72-68 Victory
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Virgin Islands (3-3, 2-1) | 32 | 40 | 72 |
|
Wilberforce (OH) (7-5, 5-3) | 35 | 33 | 68 |
Wilberforce, Ohio, December 16, 2024 – The University of The Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneer men's basketball team edged out the Wilberforce Bulldogs with a 72-68 victory at the Gaston Lewis Arena in Wilberforce, Ohio. This HBCUAC Crossover game showcased the Buccaneers' resilience as they overturned a halftime deficit to clinch a victory that boosted their season record to 3-3, with a 2-1 standing in the conference.
The first half concluded with the Buccaneers trailing 32-35, but they regrouped and launched a fierce comeback in the latter stages of the contest. Junior guard Amayoa'ah Phillips played a key role for the Buccaneers, pouring in 25 points, marking his second consecutive game with an impressive 25-point performance. Alongside him, Nasir Watson made significant contributions recording his first double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Jalil Langston was not far behind, contributing 12 points, six rebounds, and five steals to the victory.
The game's pivotal moment came under two minutes left when Phillips stripped the ball from an opposing player and passed it ahead, assisting Langston for a breakaway dunk that shifted the momentum decisively towards the Buccaneers. Phillips then sealed the game from the free-throw line securing the win with a gritty performance by the Buccaneers.
Head coach Kevin Sheppard praised the team's effort against a tough opponent. "That Wilberforce team is filled with talent, one of the tougher teams that we have faced this season. It was a very evenly played matchup that could have gone either way, but we were locked in and matched the physical play of the game. They gave us a run at the end, but we never gave in and were able to hold them off for the victory," said Sheppard.
UVI returns to action against Rust College on December 17th, which marks the final day of the HBCUAC Crossover at the Gaston Lewis Arena. The Buccaneers are determined to maintain their winning streak, having emerged victorious in three out of their last four games.
