title image via UVI Athletics
Shaquille Richardson, Sports Information Director,UVI Athletics
In heartbreaking fashion, the University of The Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers were stunned at the buzzer by the Kuyper College Cougars, suffering an 81-78 defeat on Saturday at the Elridge W Blake Sports & Fitness Center. Despite a hefty halftime deficit of 44-29, the Buccaneers nearly overturned the game, showcasing a significant second-half resurgence.
The Buccaneers, led by senior guard Jalil Langston’s 18-point, five-rebound performance, showed their determination and resilience in a strong team effort. Langston, along with the other four starters – Edwin Solis, Nico Thomas, Chad Molloy, and Amayoa’ah Phillips – all scored in double digits, leading the charge for a UVI comeback. Thomas’ double-double, his first of the season, was significant on both ends of the floor as he recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds.
UVI opened the game struggling offensively, shooting only 29% from the field and an abnormally low 7% from three-point range in the first half. This challenging start had the Buccaneers trailing by as much as 19 points and on the wrong end of a potential blowout.
A dynamic 10-2 run early in the second period reignited hope of a comeback. Langston and Phillips then combined to score the next 11 points, ultimately tying the game at 50. It was a three-pointer by Langston with 8:35 remaining on the clock that propelled UVI into their first lead of the night at 65-63. Despite a series of back-and-forth scoring exchanges, the game remained fiercely contested until the very end. The pinnacle of the game arrived when Kuyper College’s Sam Dillard sank the game-winning three-pointer as time expired, clinching the victory for the Cougars.
Following the tough loss, UVI’s interim head coach Kevin Sheppard reflected on the game’s dynamics. “We started the game so poorly, but we made a ferocious comeback in the second half to make the game exciting. We had the lead and we could’ve put them away, but we left the door open and they took the win. That’s the way the game goes,” Sheppard stated.
The Buccaneers now head to New Orleans, Louisiana as they aim to regroup and enhance their performance when they face Southern University at New Orleans on January 30, 2025, at The Castle. The last time the two teams met, the Buccaneers defeated the Knights 89-87.
