The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s and women’s basketball teams return to action on November 29 and December 1 as they host Champion Christian College at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center in a pair of doubleheaders beginning at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.
Women’s Basketball
The Lady Bucs enter this matchup looking for their first win of the season after dropping two games at Florida Memorial last week. The Champion Christian women are currently 3-1.
UVI will look to its leading scorer Kashay Bass to pace the team offensively. Bass is currently averaging 16 points per game while shooting 61.9 % from the field. The junior forward is also averaging 6.5 rebounds and two blocks per contest.
The team’s second-leading scorer, Jordan Carter, is expected to make her presence felt as well as she averages 11.5 points per game on the offensive end of the floor and contributes three steals per game defensively.
Men’s Basketball
The Buccaneer men’s basketball team will be seeking its first regular-season home victory after winning two exhibitions at the Sports and Fitness Center, while Champion Christian comes to the Territory with a 2-4 record. All four of the Tigers’ losses have come on the road, putting the Bucs in a favorable position to defend their home court.
UVI will go as far as its veteran leaders will take the team. Guards Jalil Langston and Naythan Shaw-Clarke continue to be key components for the team, while transfer forward Maurice Smith, Jr. has added more firepower to the Buccaneers’ offense.
Smith, Jr. averaged 20.5 points per game in his last two outings and posted a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Langston, the Buccaneers’ second-leading scorer, is expected to contribute significantly as well after scoring in double digits in three of the four contests this year.
Shaw-Clarke rounds out the triple threat for the Buccaneers as he averages 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in home games.
On Wednesday and Friday, the women’s matchups will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the men’s games at 8 p.m.
About UVI Athletics
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and, as of July 1, 2023, competes in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). Entering the 2023-24 season, the Buccaneers will begin their 17th 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.
