Brazil defeated the Virgin Islands 104-80 on Thursday evening at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.
The game was competitive early, as Brazil got its lead up to the five in the first quarter, but the Virgin Islands made sure to not let the game slip away and only trailed by two at the end of the initial period.
The V.I made a run early in the second quarter and opened up a 29-25 advantage. The Brazilians steadily cut into the deficit before taking the lead, which they were able to extend to eight, after former Phoenix Sun, Leandro Barbosa, knocked down a corner three with just over two minutes left in the half. Brazil kept the momentum going and built a 51-37 halftime lead.
The third quarter started with a Brazil basket, but back to back Devon Peltier three pointers saw the Virgin Islands cut the deficit to 10 points. That was as close as it got in the second half as the visitors hit back to back three pointers of their own and finished an 8-0 run with an alley-oop slam dunk to extend the margin to 61-43 with just under 5:30 to go in the quarter.
Brazil was in control the rest of the way as the lead grew to as much as 27.
The Virgin Islands were led by Georgio Milligan with 25 points and 11 rebounds while Peltier had 15 points.
The key contributors for the victors were Marquinhos Sousa, who had 22 points and 9 rebounds. Barbosa chipped in 19 points.
The Virgin Islands national team returns to action on Sunday versus Chile at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Stir it Up Coffee in Port of Sale, Chelsea Drug Store in Red Hook, the UVI bookstore and the Sports and Fitness Center.
