Hill's 17 Points Leads UVI in Loss at Fla. Memorial

(Ja'Learia Hill pictured)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Ja'Learia Hill had a team-high 17 points for University of the Virgin Islands in a 83-47 loss at Florida Memorial, the season opener for the Lions.

Kierra Neal added 12 points to go with four rebounds off the bench for UVI which dropped to 0-2.

Brittney Smith filled the stat sheet leading the team on the boards for the second straight night finishing with 13 rebounds to go with her team-high five assists while scoring seven points.

Florida Memorial shot 43.7 percent from the field (31 of 71) hitting 12 of 35 from 3-point range while the Bucs were 14 of 44 from the floor (31.8 percent) while connecting on 2 of 11 from behind the arc.

The Lions jumped out to an 18-4 lead and led 20-6 after one quarter.

In the second quarter, the Bucs shot the ball much better shooting 41.7 percent from the field (5-12) after making 2 of 13 in the opening stanza. Florida Memorial led 32-18 at the half. Neal led UVI with nine points in the first half on 4 of 5 shooting.

Florida Memorial used an 8-0 run in the third quarter to increase its lead to 45-21 with 6:36 left in the third quarter and the Lions led 56-31 after three quarters.

The Bucs close out the three-game road trip to start the season tomorrow night at Ave Maria at 5:30.