The University of the Virgin Islands men’s basketball team ended its season with a heartbreaking 83-72 defeat to Fisk University in the opening round of the 2026 Hope Credit Union Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
UVI raced out to a 13-4 lead in the first five minutes of the game, making their presence felt despite not being favored in the matchup.
The Buccaneers turned to Junior Forward Sebastian Dokum to lead the way as he scored 12 first-half points, including a stretch where he scored 10 of his team’s 12 points. At the midway point of the first half, the Buccaneers led 20-14; however, the Bulldogs battled to stay within striking distance as the Buccaneers tried to pull away. At halftime, the two teams were locked at 37 all, heading to the locker rooms.
The Bulldogs struck first in the second half, giving them their first lead of the night, 39-37. However, the Buccaneers regained the lead a few possessions later on a three-point basket by Junior Guard Chad Molloy.
The two teams traded baskets over the next several possessions, with neither team able to establish control of the game. The turning point of the game came during a 13-3 run by Fisk with five minutes remaining in the game. Unable to erase the deficit, the Buccaneers watched their championship aspirations slip away as their opponents cruised to an 83-72 victory.
Dokum led the way with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Senior Forward Eliyah Stevens recorded a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double in what would be his last collegiate contest.
Defensively, Graduate Forward Brandon Rasmussen recorded a game-high five steals.
“We matched up well with them; it was two evenly matched teams on the court today,” stated head coach Kevin Sheppard. “We played well and had a great first half; however, the little things that we have been trying to work on came back to hurt us. It’s a disappointing end to the season for us, but these young men competed and represented the University well. There’s a lot of room for improvement; we’ll be back next year.”
