The University of the Virgin Islands men’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Voorhees University 85-81 in an overtime thriller at the Jerry M. Screen Arena in Denmark, South Carolina.
UVI faced an early setback, trailing 20-14 midway through the first half. Despite playing from behind for much of the period, a three-point shot by graduate forward Brandon Rasmussen gave UVI a 30-29 advantage, their first since an early 4-2 lead. The Buccaneers would enter halftime in control of the game, ahead 36-32.
In the second half, the Buccaneers extended their lead to 12 points, marking their largest of the night, with 12:02 left in the game. They managed to maintain this lead until a late 16-5 run by Voorhees shifted the momentum, giving the Tigers a 71-70 lead with 58 seconds remaining. UVI briefly regained the lead with a layup by Rasmussen, and freshman guard Joshua Rodgers added a free throw to put the Buccaneers ahead by two with eight seconds left. However, a buzzer-beating layup by Voorhees sent the game into overtime, tied at 73.
During the overtime period, UVI initially took a 77-75 lead, scoring on their first two possessions. However, Voorhees would capitalize on their momentum from the second half, scoring five consecutive points to secure a three-point advantage. UVI’s self-inflicted errors would prove costly, allowing Voorhees to capitalize on their mistakes and ultimately secure an 85-81 victory.
The Buccaneers will now take a much-needed break to regroup after a demanding road trip. Their upcoming schedule includes matchups against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) athletic conference opponents: Dillard University, Oakwood University, and Southern University at New Orleans.
