UPDATE: VI come up agonisingly short against Antigua
Eric Joseph hit a dagger from beyond the arc with 36 seconds left in the game to put Antigua up 73-68, however, Jomoi Levons answered with ‘and-one play’ to cut the lead to 73-71 with 16 seconds left on the clock.
Elain O'Neal had two attempts at the rim in the final 11's of the game but was unable to convert to tie the ball game for the VI squad.
Anthony Greer played a really good game and ended with 22 points for Antigua while Ahmani Browne, Joseph and Lincoln Weeks ended with 17, 13 and 13 points respectively in the close win.
Kiandre Clarke was the high point man for the VI with 16 points. Nixon Hamilton ended with 11 points and O'Neal with 10 points as the team lost their third straight game in the championship. Hamilton had 15 rebounds and O'Neal 17 boards in the loss as well.
After a back-and-forth first period with both teams running the ball and the period ending 18-17 in favour of Antigua, the VI clamped down on defence in the second quarter, limiting Antigua to just 12 second quarter points to take a 37-29 halftime lead.
Upon resumption, the VI kept running the ball but Antigua kept the game close with hustle plays by being the first to loose balls as well as to rebounds on the offensive end of the court.
K'moi Walters’ ejection with 1:50 to go in the third allowed Antigua to play a bit more freely as they eventually rallied in the fourth quarter to take their first lead of the game from a mid-range jumper by Greer with 8:09 left in the game.
Both teams would trade buckets before Joseph's clutch shot that sealed the deal.
The Virgin Islands are now winless after three games.
See previous report published July 5, 2016
VI mauled by Bahamas in 2nd CBC game
- lose 40-101 @ Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in GT, Guyana
After running out of steam and losing narrowly to Barbados in their opening game of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships in Georgetown, Guyana on July 3, 2016, the Virgin Islands team were unable to rebound in their second game as they were overrun 40-101 by Bahamas on Monday July 4, 2016.
In fairness to the VI boys, however, the Bahamas are regarded as one of the best teams in the tournament. At the end of the first quarter the VI had managed just eight points while Bahamas had 20.
With both teams playing fast paced basketball, the VI started with a 2-3 zone defence formation to block inside penetration, while Bahamas looked to deny ‘long shots’ from the VI.
Bahamas forged ahead and dominated proceedings with several turnovers while VI missed many chances. The score at half time was Bahamas 48, VI 17.
The third quarter continued in similar fashion and VI were only allowed six points as Bahamas piled on the pressure as the final quarter commenced with the score 79-23.
K’mol Walters sunk a three-pointer, another shot from ‘downtown’ with under two minutes, which saw the VI register their 17th point in the final quarter but it was too little too late.
The Bahamians were led by 17 points and 9 rebounds from Michael Lawright, 14 each from Samuel Hunter and Rica Bridgewater and 13 from Micheal Williams, who netted two three-pointers. Kenrick Burrows was next best with 8 points and 8 rebounds.
Walters and Layne Donaldson, who hit a couple of three-pointers, both scored 10 points for the VI.
Bahamas had scored 109 points in their win on opening day against Antigua.
Meanwhile, the VI are warming up to play Antigua in a matter of minutes. The game can be followed on the Caribbean Basketball Confederation's live stream on Facebook.
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