SAN GERMAN, Puerto Rico — Mission accomplished. The U.S. Virgin Islands men's basketball won the gold medal Saturday at the Central America and Caribbean University Games.
The spirited squad of college players used an 8-0 run to start the second half en route to defeating previously unbeaten Puerto Rico 104-87 Saturday night, thus ruining the hometown fans hopes of seeing a Puerto Rico sweep in basketball. Earlier at the Luis Sambolin gym, the Puerto Rico women beat Mexico for the women's championship.
The Central America and Caribbean University Games bring together the top college athletes in the region for a week of Olympic-style Games.
Cuthbert Victor, who was the subject of a protest filed by Puerto Rico officials, scored 22 points as the Virgin Islands parlayed a 55-54 halftime lead into a 17-point victory. The Virgin Islands finished the tournament 5-1 and avenged an opening-day loss to Puerto Rico.
"I'm just glad to be a part of this," said V.I. guard Tyrone Allick, who scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half. "We had a job to do and we went out and did it."
Johnson Isidore scored 16 points and Carlos Hawkins and Alphonso Niles added 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Virgin Islands.
Puerto Rico, led by Erick Rodriquez's 31 points, battled back from a 15-point first-half deficit to take a short-lived 54-53 lead with seconds remaining in the half. The Virgin Islands scored the final basket of the first half and started the second half with eight straight points to take a 63-54 advantage, silencing the capacity crowd.
Victor had 16 rebounds to go with his 22 points. By halftime, he had already amassed a double double. The Murray State signee was the subject of a protest that nearly cost the Virgin Islands the championship off the court. Earlier on Saturday, Virgin Islands University Sports Federation members attended a meeting to address a dispute.
Luis Dieppa, head of the Puerto Rico delegation, filed a protest to ODUCC (the Central America and Caribbean University Sports Organization) Control Commission questioning Victor eligibility status.
Victor, the St. Croix high school athlete of the year and recent St. Joseph High graduate, had not enrolled in college prior to the Games and should be declared ineligible, according to the protest.
Ron Harrigan, president of the Virgin Islands delegation, said the protest was done illegally and thus should be null and void. After hearing testimonies from different countries' representatives, the committee decided to allow Victor to participate in the championship.
The Virgin Islands women's team came up short in their attempt at winning a medal. The V.I. Women's team, competing with only seven players, dropped a 73-57 decision to Colombia, which beat the Virgin Islands for the second straight time in the five-team tournament.
Natasha Lettsome and Felicia James scored 48 of the Virgin Islands' 57
points. Lettsome had 30 points.
In the men's division, the Dominican Republic beat Mexico for the bronze medal.
