image via UVI Athletics
Courtesy of Shaquille Richardson, UVI Athletics
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team defeated Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) 89-87 in a statement win Saturday afternoon at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas.
UVI (5-6, 4-4 HBCUAC) was initially down early in the game after trailing behind by as many as 10 points in the first half. The Buccaneers struggled to stop SUNO standout Jamal Gibson, the reigning HBCUAC Player of the Year. As a result, they entered halftime trailing 41-35 facing an uphill battle.
Head coach Kevin Sheppard acknowledged the challenge posed by SUNO, particularly in containing Gibson’s in the first half. Strategic adjustments were made during halftime, which proved effective as the Buccaneers emerged with renewed energy.
In the second half, junior forward Ashawn-Taedo Phillips was inserted into the lineup. Phillips’ presence on defense proved to be instrumental in slowing down SUNO’s offensive attack, particularly in the painted area. The adjustment ignited the Buccaneers, allowing the team to score 10 unanswered points, tying the game at 61 with under 10 minutes remaining in the game. The two teams would trade baskets over the next few possessions until a pivotal free throw made by sophomore guard Khaleed Heywood at the 6:38 mark gave the Buccaneers their first lead since the early stages of the game.
With the momentum in their favor, the Buccaneers would extend their lead to 10 points, marking their largest lead of the night, with just 30 seconds remaining in the game. Despite last-ditch efforts, including a made basketball as time expired by SUNO, the Buccaneers held on for the two-point victory.
Amayo’ah Phillips led the Buccaneers with 26 points, while senior guard Jalil Langston contributed 18 points and Heywood added 16 points coming off the bench.
“We’ve played on the road all season, so it was a great feeling to finally have the opportunity to compete in front of our home crowd for the first time and secure a victory,” stated Sheppard. ” We’ve got Philander Smith University up next, another good team. We have encountered tough opponents all year and have risen to the challenge every time. This upcoming game is yet another opportunity for us to showcase our abilities.”
The team will now take their talents on the road as they prepare for a three-game road stretch beginning in Little Rock, Arkansas, taking on Philander Smith University on January 16th. After that, the team will travel to Marshall, Texas, to take on Wiley Universityon January 18th. The road trip will conclude in Jackson, Mississippi, where they will face off against Tougaloo University.
