Junior guard Jalil Langston scored 20 points on Saturday night to lift the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) to a 76-68 victory over Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) for Oakwood University at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The win gave UVI its third win on the season and first in GCAC play.
The Buccaneers (3-7, 1-3 GCAC) set the tone early in the game as they took a 10-7 lead on a three-point field goal by Maurice Smith, Jr. That shot was part of a 15-4 run that established a lead for UVI. After taking the lead with just under 17 minutes in the first half the team never trailed again.
Oakwood fought back with a run of its own to bring the game back within three points. However, the Bucs closed the half on a 12-5 run to take a 37-29 lead into halftime. As a team, the Buccaneers shot a remarkable 50% from the field in the first half and made five of their six field goal attempts from behind the arc.
The Buccaneers remained in control during the second half of the game despite several attempts at a comeback made by Oakwood. Midway through the period, the lead was cut down to one point, but the Buccaneers were able to hold off their opponents with timely offense and defensive stops. A block by Naythan Shaw-Clarke led to a transition basket at the other end of the floor to halt the Ambassadors’ final comeback attempt.
Senior William Steger contributed 12 points for UVI, including the dagger to put the game away with 30 seconds remaining on the clock.
Shaw-Clarke delivered a well-rounded performance for the Buccaneers as he was active on both ends of the court. The 6-3 guard recorded 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, along with two blocks and one steal.
Smith, Jr. finished the night with nine points and 11 rebounds, falling just one point short of his fifth double-double on the season.
For the Ambassadors, Nicholas Kennard scored 16 points.
The Buccaneers hit the road for three consecutive conference games as they take on Philander Smith University, Rust College, and Tougaloo College on January 9, 11, and 13 respectively. All three matchups can be seen on Channel 120 of the HBCU+ app.
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.