The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers men’s basketball team fell to the Lions of Florida Memorial University (FMU) on Thursday night, 78-52, at the Florida Memorial Wellness Center in Miami Gardens. After dropping the final game of their road trip, the team falls to 0-2 on the season.
Maurice Smith, Jr. led the Buccaneers offensively as he scored game-high 22 points while shooting 44% from the field.
Smith got hot early on for UVI, scoring 11 of their first 15 points to start the game, including 3-for-4 from 3-point territory in the first half. The graduate transfer also got the job done on the defensive end as he led the team in rebounds and steals, recording eight and four, respectively.
As a team, the Buccaneers forced 14 turnovers and held FMU to just 22% shooting from behind the arc.
Derrius Ward was the top scorer for the Lions with 15 points.
The Buccaneers return home to the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on November 18 to take on the VI Elite pro’s during the highly anticipated Paradise Jam basketball tournament. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. AST
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