Second Half Defense Fuels Dawgs to Third Straight Win

NASHVILLE – Blake Goodman scored 19 points, Tyon Thompson chipped in 17, and Michael Ashley added 15 as the Fisk University Bulldogs (11-11, 8-5 GCAC) defeated the University of the Virgin Island Buccaneers (4-14, 2-10 GCAC) 68-56 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play from Nashville.

The Buccaneers came out hot in the first half, shooting 52 percent from the field to take a 36-30 lead into the locker room. They finished the half on a 9-0 run on three consecutive three point baskets.

The Dawgs took over early in the second half, going on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 38. After the Buccaneers took their final lead of the game on a Maurice Smith Jr. basket at the 14:29 mark, Fisk took over on the defensive ends forcing three turnovers and converting them into points to go up 52-45 on a Thompson basket.

UVI's William Stegar's three-point basket cut the lead to four but that was as close as the Buccs could get. Fisk's 10-3 run stretched the lead to 11. The key play was the inbounds pass by Jayden Lockett (11 rebounds) to Thompson after the under eight media break.

After that, Fisk held UVI to only five points. The Buccs was held to 20 second half points total. After struggling the last three games, Thompson scored 13 and Ashley 12 in the decisive second half.

"We made some adjustments in the second half because they traveled a long way to get here," said Fisk Head Coach Kenny Anderson. "We pressured them, and they looked tired. That is a good team over there. Well coached and they have a great mix of shooters and inside players. I am glad that we got out of here with a win."

The victory was a big one for the Bulldogs, as it gave them a .500 winning percentage for the first tie since October 2019. The Bulldogs will finish their homestand with a game against Talladega College on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Virgin Islands (56)

Jalil Langston 3-8 0-0 7, William Stegar 5-14 0-0 14, Nathan Shaw-Clarke 2-9 2-4 7, Nico Thomas 1-2 0-2 2, Denny Gonzalez 1-1 0-0 2, Nasir Watson 1-6 0-0 3, Keylin Vance 3-8 3-3 11, Maurice Smith Jr. 5-10 0-2 10. Totals 21-58 5-11 56

 Fisk University (68)

Tyon Thompson 8-16 1-1 17, Allan Powell 0-3 1-2 1, Blake Goodman 7-16 2-2 19, Michael Ashley 6-8 3-4 15, Mitchel Seay 0-0 0-0 0, Jayden Lockett 3-12 2-2 8, Rodney Wiley 1-6 0-0 2, Tyree Martin 3-5 0-0 6, Soloman Mustafa-Reid 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-66 9-11 68

 SCORE BY PERIODS          1st          2nd        TOTAL

Virgin Islands                     36           20           56

Fisk University                    30           38           68

FG%: Virgin Islands .362, Fisk University .424. 3-pt FG: Virgin Islands 9-25 (Langston 1-4, Stegar 4-7, Shaw-Clarke 1-1, Watson 1-5, Vance 2-6, Smith Jr. 0-2), Fisk University 3-20 (Thompson 0-3, Powell 0-3, Goodman 3-6, Lockett 0-5, Wiley 0-3). Rebounds: Virgin Islands 36 (Smith Jr. 9), Fisk University 43 (Lockett 11). Fouls Virgin Islands 11, Fisk University 9. Fouled out: none. Technical: none. Assists: Virgin Islands 12 (Stegar 4, Shaw-Clarke 4), Fisk University 18 (Lockett 6, Wiley 6). Steals: Virgin Islands 4 (Stegar 3), Fisk University 9 (Powell 3). Blocked shots: Virgin Islands 3 (Smith Jr. 3), Fisk University 6 (Ashley 2, Lockett 2). Turnovers: Virgin Islands 13, Fisk University 9.