Freshman guard Ashukamayah Phiilips scored a career-high 23 points for the UVI Lady Buccaneers on Wednesday in an 81-59 loss to Champion Christian College in the first game of their two-game homestand at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The team falls to 0-3 to begin the season after the loss.
The two teams were evenly matched in the first half as they traded the lead several times in the first two periods. In the opening quarter, UVI shot 64.1% from the field and closed the period with a 20-19 lead, but they trailed 27-34 at halftime.
After the break the Lady Bucs remained within striking distance for most of the second half until the Lady Tigers pulled away midway through the fourth quarter.
Phillips, the Lady Bucs’ leading scorer, shot 7-of-13 in 27 minutes of action on the floor. She also made seven of her nine free throw attempts on the night to carry her over the 20-point mark.
Veteran forward Kashay Bass recorded her first double-double of the season as she scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Bass showed up on the defensive side of the stat sheet as well with two blocks and a steal.
For Champion Christian, Kamryn Gentry had 24 points to lead her team.
The two teams meet again on Friday at 6:00 p.m. AST as the Lady Bucs attempt to capture their first win of the season.
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.