Philander Smith Secures Convincing 65–50 Win Over University of the Virgin Islands

November 15, 2025 — Mims Gym, Little Rock, AR

Philander Smith locked in another strong home performance Saturday evening, pulling away in the middle quarters to secure a 65–50 victory over the University of the Virgin Islands. The Panthers used a balanced attack and a decisive third-quarter surge to gain separation and control the game the rest of the way.

Strong Start, Stronger Middle

The opening frame was competitive, with Philander Smith edging ahead 14–11. But the second quarter began to reveal the Panthers' depth and tempo. Outscoring UVI 20–14, the Panthers took a 34–25 lead into halftime, fueled by sharp passing and aggressive work on the boards.

Then came the knockout punch—Philander Smith erupted for a 20-point third quarter while holding UVI to just nine. From rebounding presence to transition buckets, everything clicked, and the Panthers carried a 20-point cushion into the final period.

Though Philander Smith cooled off late, the damage was already done.

Miracle Thomas Leads the Charge

Senior guard Miracle Thomas delivered a standout performance, pouring in 23 points on 10-of-22 shooting while adding six rebounds and three steals. Her shot-making set the tone, and whenever the Panthers needed a bucket, she had an answer.

Running the offense with poise, Ashlyn Kimble had one of her most complete games of the season—12 points, 7 assists, and 6 steals, acting as the heartbeat of both the offense and defense.

Inside, Sidney Townsend and Siaderiel Oliver combined for 17 points and 16 rebounds, giving the Panthers the interior presence that helped tilt the game on the glass.

Off the bench, Samya Johnson gave Philander meaningful minutes with 8 points and 11 rebounds, owning the paint and extending possessions.

UVI Battles Behind Bass and Robertson-Mack

Despite the loss, UVI saw big efforts from their frontcourt.
Kashay Bass dominated the boards, finishing with a commanding 16-point, 17-rebound double-double. Her relentlessness kept UVI within reach early.

Khaelii Robertson-Mack added 12 points, while reserve forward Natalie Williams chipped in 7 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.

But UVI struggled with shooting efficiency all night, hitting just 28.6% from the field and 21.4% from three. Turnovers—28 total—also proved costly against Philander's active defense.

Stat Battles Tilting Toward Philander Smith

• FG%: PSU 37.7% | UVI 28.6%

• Rebounds: Essentially even (PSU 43, UVI 44), but the Panthers converted more second-chance looks.

• Turnovers: UVI 28 | PSU 16

• Assists: PSU 12 | UVI 7

Philander Smith's defensive intensity and playmaking ultimately created the separation that shooting percentages alone couldn't.