Philander Cruise Past The Virgin Islands

In a competitive men's basketball matchup on January 17, 2025, at Mims Gymnasium, Philander Smith University emerged victorious over the University of Virgin Islands with a final score of 70-54. Despite a strong second-half effort from the University of Virgin Islands, Philander Smith University maintained control throughout the game.

Philander Smith dominated the first half, securing a 40-21 lead by halftime. The University of Virgin Islands attempted a comeback, outscoring Philander Smith 33-30 in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit.

Philander Smith's shooting performance was more efficient. They made 48.1% of their field goals and 30.4% of their three-point attempts, compared to the University of Virgin Islands' 33.9% field goal percentage and a meager 7.7% from beyond the arc.

The standout for Philander Smith was Raymond Reece, who scored 15 points and collected 10 rebounds, contributing significantly to his team's win. Meanwhile, Amayoa'ah Phillips led the scoring for the University of Virgin Islands with 16 points, but his efforts fell short against Philander Smith's well-rounded team performance.

Philander Smith also showed superior teamwork, dishing out 15 assists compared to their opponent's seven, reflecting a more cohesive and strategic playstyle.

Both teams faced discipline issues with technical fouls called on each side. The game was officiated by Anthony Smith, Landon Marshall, and Hunter Brashears, who maintained control throughout this spirited contest.