The University of the Virgin Islands men’s basketball team was dominant in a 93-73 victory over VI Elite in their Homecoming game on Friday night and the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Initially, UVI was stunned as VI Elite surged to a 14-7 lead early in the first half. However, graduate forward Brandon Rasmussen ignited the Buccaneer offense, scoring 10 consecutive points to bring his team within three. The tide turned when junior guard Devin Binyard converted one of his three steals into an assist for sophomore Ahijaa Sweeney’s layup, giving UVI the lead. This moment would be pivotal as the Buccaneers would build on their lead and would not look back, taking a 49-34 lead into halftime.
“We started a bit sluggish, but we managed to pick up the pace and play our style, forcing turnovers,” said head coach Kevin Sheppard. “We capitalized on steals, turning them into easy points on the other end of the floor. That was our identity last season, and we aim to replicate it this year again. We didn’t shoot well from beyond the three-point line, and that’s going to happen at times, which is why we will continue to focus on our defense. We did perform well on offense, though. Ninety-three points isn’t something to overlook.”
In the second half, the Buccaneers maintained their intensity, forcing 11 turnovers and converting them into immediate offense, further extending their lead. UVI led by as much as 23 points in a game that featured only one tie and one lead change, highlighting their dominance.
As a team, the Buccaneers shot 48% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. Notably, they scored 62 of their 93 points in the paint, establishing their offensive presence around the basket.
Rasmussen led the way for the Buccaneers, scoring a game-high 25 points
Junior guard Chad Molloy would chip in 21 points of his own, along with five steals on the defensive end of the floor.
Senior forward Eliyah Stevens and Binyard would be two other Buccaneers who each contributed 14 points.
For VI Elite Micaiah Jones had 24 points.
With the exhibition schedule now concluded, UVI turns its focus to the regular season. The Buccaneers will open the regular season on the road, traveling to Little Rock, Arkansas, to face Philander Smith University, a fellow member of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), on November 15.
