The University of the Virgin Islands women’s basketball team defeated Jarvis Christian University 53-46 in its first matchup of the Tiffany Jackson HBCU Classic on Friday night, held at the Mary E. Branch Gymnasium in Austin, Texas. This event, hosted by Huston-Tillotson, features the host school alongside UVI, Jarvis Christian, and Stillman College.
UVI (2-2) opened the game sluggishly as its offense struggled initially. In a low-scoring first half, the Lady Buccaneers found themselves trailing by five points at the end of the period. A spirited second quarter surge allowed the Lady Buccaneers to take their first lead of the game at 17-16 on a made layup by senior forward Kashay Bass. UVI took a narrow 20-18 lead into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half, the two teams would trade baskets early on. During a pivotal stretch, UVI would extend its lead, highlighted by true freshman guard Ashlynn Lemos, with a flurry of baskets, scoring nine of her team’s next 10 points, establishing a 34-28 lead. However, a 14-2 run by Jarvis Christian enabled them to reclaim the lead. The resilient Lady Buccaneers would respond with a run of their own, tying the score at 42-all with another two-point basket by Bass. A crucial three-pointer by junior guard Atalia Thomas later secured the lead for UVI, ultimately sealing the 53-46 victory.
Bass emerged as the leading scorer for the Buccaneers, amassing 21 points, with 13 scored in the second half. The six-foot forward also contributed eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
Junior forward Keshara Romain was dominant in the painted area for the Lady Buccaneers with another double-digit rebounding game, securing 18 rebounds. The current Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Defensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week also recorded a season-high with seven blocks.
For the Lady Bulldogs, Jacy Reese led the team with 14 points.
Next, the Lady Buccaneers will face the Stillman College Lady Tigers on the second day of the Tiffany Jackson HBCU Classic. In their last matchup with this HBCUAC conference rival, the Lady Tigers emerged victorious. The Lady Buccaneers will be seeking revenge in the game scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. Central Time at the Branch Gymnasium.
About UVI Athletics
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and a member of the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), formerly the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). Entering the 2025-26 season, the Buccaneers will begin their 19th season of athletic competition. As the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Caribbean, UVI currently sponsors six sports, including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field. For more information on UVI Athletics, visit UVIAthletics.com.
