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DISAPPOINTING HOME OPENER FOR UVI BUCS

Dec. 19, 2003 — There was little to cheer about Friday night at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center as the men's and women's basketball teams were both handed their first losses of the season by the Pace University Setters. Both Setters teams found the warm climate well to their liking as they heated up the UVI Bucs and Lady Bucs, 98-61 and 98-41, respectively.
In the men's game, the Bucs got on the scoreboard first with a layup by Torian Henry, but the Setters then went on an 11-0 run and never trailed again. The Bucs quickly answered with a 7-0 run to get to within two points of the Setters. However, Pace then responded with a 24-6 offensive barrage to take firm command of the game.
The Bucs trailed 44-29 at halftime and tried to play catch up for the rest of the game.
For UVI there was a glimmer of hope when the Bucs opened the second half with a four-point play from Kevin Abbott, who hit a 3-pointer and then converted the free throw. However, thoughts of a comeback were crushed as the Setters then went on a 14-0 run to re-establish their dominating control of the game.
Calvert White had 11 points to lead the Bucs, while Curtis Maduro added 10, all in the second half.
Ian Wilson led the Setters with 23 points, Deshawn Jordan had 19, Ben Renzin 12, and Carlos Martinez added 10 for the victors.
The Pace Setters men's team goes to 7-2, while the Bucs drop their season opener.
In the women's game, the Lady Bucs were totally overmatched by the Setters. Every member of the Setters’ women’s team played, and all nine scored in the contest.
On Friday night the Lady Setters were the model of efficiency, connecting on seven shots from behind the arc and going 9-for-16 from the line.
By halftime the Lady Setters had a 30-point lead, heading toward the locker room at 49-19. By game's end the winning margin was 57.
For the Lady Setters, Friday night was an offensive showcase with five players in double figures: Andrea Padelsky (18 points), Hannah Sheppard (14 points), Jauna Andrews and Andrea Burch (12 points each) and Ashley Wallace (10 points).
"I think we shot well tonight," Setters head coach Carrie Seymour stated.
"No team in Puerto Rico (the ODI league) is as strong as Pace," Lady Bucs head coach Cyril Benjamin noted. "This is our first practice and a good practice," Benjamin added.
Rena Stephens led the Lady Bucs with 22 points, while Elbe Brathwaite added 13 points. The two accounted for virtually all the Bucs' offense.
The Setters improve to 6-3 as the Lady Bucs go to 0-1.
The Lady Bucs and the Lady Setters will square off again for a second game tonight at 7 p.m. The UVI men will be idle.

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