March 31, 2001 – The University of the Virgin Islands Buccaneers lost their bid Saturday, 101-86, to advance in the Caribbean version of March Madness, at the Universidad Metroplitana de Puerto Rico evening at the Sports and Fitness Center. UMET, the two time Organizacion Deportiva Interuniversitaria defending champions, with the victory advanced to the conference finals for the third straight time.
The Bucs started with a big line up as they tried to use their size to combat UMET's strong physical play. Both teams were scoreless for the first two minutes of the opening quarter. The Bucs then jumped on top with a 5-0 run off of the shooting of Raheem Smith, who made a 3-pointer followed by a lay up.
UMET took it's first led, 11-9, with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. The Bucs forced UMET to commit nine turnovers in the quarter. However, UMET was ready and able for the task. They kept the Bucs at bay and led 20-17 at the end of the quarter.
The Bucs lost their poise and composure in the second quarter. UMET's strategy was to contain the Bucs' Kevin Abbott. "We had to stop number 21. He is carrying their offensive load. Stop him and we've got them" UMET's head coach Carlos Baez said, in Spanish, of Abbott between the two quarters. Baez's team listened attentively as they frustrated the Bucs into committing easy turnovers.
During the second quarter, a call by referee Joel Ortiz ignited the Bucs anger even more. Ortiz called goaltending on Abbott that caused the Bucs' acting head coach Emil Aska to jump up and question the call."I've heard enough, no more," Ortiz quickly warned Aska. However, after conferring with fellow referee Anibal Carrion, Ortiz corrected the call and said it was a clean block. "We had a communication problem." Carrion said at halftime.
The Bucs, clearly frustrated, could not find the answer for UMET's intensity. They outscored the Bucs 29-19 in the quarter to take a 13 point lead at the half.
The Bucs regained their composure at the start of the second half. They went on a run to cut the lead down to four points with five minutes left in the third quarter. However, UMET once again showed why they are the defending conference champions. UMET answered the Bucs offensive charge with a 6-0 run to end the quarter to keep a 10 point lead.
Both teams continued to play with great intensity in the final quarter. However, UMET had the answer to everything the Bucs threw at them. UMET outscored the Bucs 33-28 in the quarter.
Ricardo Diaz, who played all 40 minutes of the game, had 25 points to lead UMET. Franklyn Roman added 22 points off of the bench. Roman nailed five 3-pointers for the game. "That's his game. He has been playing that way for us in our last set of games." his coach Baez noted. UMET's big man Javier Novas also had 22 points. Novas scored a double-double for the game with 14 rebounds. Javier Rolon added 17 points for the winners.
For the Bucs, Abbott had a game high 28 points. He shot over 50 percent from the field and sank three out of five 3-pointers. Smith and Dashell Freeman each contributed 16 points for the Bucs.
"We wanted to send a message to show the Virgin Islands people that this is the way we play basketball." Baez said after the game. "I'm happy with the way my team preformed." he added.
The Bucs also felt that they played well after the game. "We played with heart." Aska noted. UVI's athletic director, Peter Sauer, was also very happy with the way his team played. "We now know the bar that we have to elevate to." Sauer explained after the game. "We played head to head with the best team in Puerto Rico and played tough." he added "Win or lose, this is the best the Bucs have done in this conference." he concluded.
The Bucs will travel to Puerto Rico on March 19 to face the University of Puerto Rico, Utaudo campus for the third place in the conference.