The University of the Virgin Islands men’s basketball team fell 71-68 in a thriller to Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) on day two of the YES USVI HBCU Classic.
UVI (2-5) held an early lead in the matchup and would remain on top until the halfway mark. The Buccaneers would relinquish the lead shortly after. The teams would continue to battle, but neither team was able to establish its dominance as each would go on runs of their own in an attempt to gain control in the matchup. SUNO, however, would get the best of the Buccaneers as they headed into halftime with a three-point advantage, 28-25.
A standout performance for the Buccaneers in the first half came from freshman guard Joshua Rodgers, who delivered an impressive offensive display. Rodgers shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, all from beyond the arc, contributing nine points off the bench.
The second half was a tightly contested affair, featuring five ties and 11 lead changes. The Buccaneers faced their largest deficit at 63-57 but rallied in the final moments. Junior guard Chad Molloy made a crucial steal and converted a layup, giving UVI a 68-67 lead with just 1:23 remaining. SUNO would respond with two successful free throws to pull ahead of the Buccaneers. Empty possessions would ultimately be the deciding factor as the Buccaneers missed their final two shot attempts, allowing SUNO to secure the victory.
Three Buccaneers scored in double figures: junior guard Devin Binyard with 16 points, senior guard Khari Person with 14 points, and Rodgers with 13 points. Senior forward Eliyah Stevens contributed significantly on the boards, securing 11 rebounds for UVI.
The Buccaneers will now hit the road as they head back to West Palm Beach, Florida, to compete in the Seahawks Christmas Classic at Massimino Court on the campus of Keiser University. Their first match-up will be against Morningside University from Sioux City, Iowa, on December 16 at 4 p.m. EST
