Turnovers Plague Bucs In UVI HBCU Classic Opener
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wilberforce (1-3, 1-0) | 43 | 58 | 101 |
|
Virgin Islands (0-3, 0-1) | 34 | 33 | 67 |
ST. THOMAS, V.I. All five UVI starters scored in double-digits but that highlight was overshadowed by the 41 turnovers that the Buccaneers committed, which led to a 101-67 loss to Wilberforce University on the first day of the UVI HBCU Basketball Classic Wednesday evening.
Few teams can overcome coughing up the ball that many times and the Bulldogs capitalized to the tune of 46 points off the 41 UVI turnovers. Also, despite just grabbing five more offensive boards than the Buccaneers, Wilberforce had a 24-5 advantage in second-chance points.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Wilberforce University def. The University of the Virgin Islands, 101-67
Records: UVI Men's 0-3; Wilberforce Men's 1-3
Location: UVI Sports & Fitness Center; St. Thomas, V.I.
Date: November 3, 2021
Event: Day 1 of the Inaugural UVI HBCU Basketball Classic, which features 12 games over the course of three days.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Wilberforce blew the game open late in the second half. Using a 13-1 run, the Bulldogs turned a 71-57 lead into an overwhelming 84-58 advantage before Denny Gonzalez made a three-pointer for UVI.
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Every second half basket by the Buccaneers seemed to be matched by a Wilberforce bucket and then some. LiWayne Richardson had the home crowd going with a rousing dunk on an assist from Jamal Norris but Jesse Olverson Jr. responded with a steal and dunk of his own almost immediately. Later, Norris cut the deficit to 59-46 when he earned the steal and the layup on the other end but the Bulldogs scored on the very next possession.
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Wilberforce got its first bit of distance by using a 16-4 run to take a 28-13 lead before sporting a 43-34 halftime advantage. The Bulldogs also opened the second half with a 9-0 run before a pair of Chris Williams free throws added some points for UVI.
STAT FACTS
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Norris led the Buccaneers with 14 points on four-of-eight from the field and six-of-eight from the free-throw line.
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Gonzalez had 13 points, plus four boards. Richardson had 10 points, five rebounds, and four blocks. Chris Williams had 10 points with three steals and two assists. Will Boyd contributed 11 points, nine boards, and three blocks.
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Jaren Johnson had a team-high five assists, plus nine rebounds. Eliyah Stevens' 10 rebounds led the team.
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While all five starters scored in double-digits, the bench of UVI amassed only nine points.
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Off the bench for Wilberforce, Calija'won Davis had game-high totals of 27 points and five steals in just 18 minutes. He was 8-of-13 from the field and 6-of-10 from deep. Four other Bulldogs scored in double-digits.
UP NEXT
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Still searching for their first win, UVI hosts Warner University on the second day of the inaugural UVI HBCU Basketball Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening. General admission tickets are still available.
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Wilberforce squares off with Hutson-Tillotson University at 4 p.m. on Day 2 of the classic.
