U.S. Virgin Islands Defeats Mexico In Overtime

June 30, 2010 • San Antonio, Texas

The U.S. Virgin Islands (2-3) squandered an early 16-point lead, but recovered in overtime for an 89-86 win over Mexico (0-5) in the seventh place game of the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Wednesday afternoon in San Antonio, Texas.

“After a couple of losses, we had a team meeting which was good for the team,” said Merwin Potter, who scored 22 points to lead the islanders today. “I had to step up and play my role and do what’s best for the team.”

The islanders jumped to a 37-21 lead midway through the second quarter. However, Mexico chipped away at the lead and finished the half trailing by 10 points, 42-32.

“We got better every day,” U.S. Virgin Islands coach Jareem Dowling said. “At halftime, they knew I was upset.  I wasn’t happy with their performance and they responded with a hard-fought game.  I told them Mexico would not lay down for us and let us win.”

Winless Mexico came out of the locker room determined to go home on a positive note and outscored the islanders 17-9 in the third quarter to make it a two-point game, 51-49, and evened it up to 74-74 in the fourth. Mexico’s Kevin Acosta missed a potential game-winning three with a second left in regulation, but it was off the mark.

“We did not want to come out in last place we just wanted to finish strong,” said U.S. Virgin Islands forward Aaron Brown, who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 boards for his side.

The U.S. Virgin Islands struck first in OT with a 3-pointer and never again trailed.

 “This is a really good experience for us,” stated Potter. “Most of the other kids in the Virgin Islands don’t have this kind of experience.  We’ve learned a lot.  We’ll take what we’ve learned and take it back and teach it to other players so that we can have better competition.”

“The best part of coaching was seeing them grow on and off the court and help them out in life, not just in basketball,” added Dowling. “It’s been a lot of fun coaching these guys.”

Mexico was led by Acosta’s 27 points, including 5-of-10 from 3-point.