USVI Women Move on to CentroBasket Semifinals With Game Friday Night

July 17, 2026

Team USVI huddles at center court at their quarter-final game against the Bahamas at the FIBA Women’s CentroBasket Qualifier in Managa, Nicaragua. (Submitted Photo) — Team USVI huddles at center court at their quarter-final game against the Bahamas Thursday at the FIBA Women’s CentroBasket Qualifier in Managa, Nicaragua. (Submitted photo)

The USVI Women’s Basketball Team sails into the semifinals of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 CentroBasket Qualifier 2026 in Managua, Nicaragua, with a game against Mexico Friday night after they defeated the Bahamas in a quarterfinal match Thursday. A win tonight will automatically qualify the team for the 2027 tournament.

The USVI women continued their quest to defend their crown in the engagement against the Bahamas. There is no love lost between these two emerging Caribbean powers in women’s basketball. Games are usually competitive and hard-fought battles.

Imani Tate, #8 for the USVI, drives the ball to the basket during the USVI quarterfinalgame against the Bahamas at the FIBA Women’s CentroBasket Qualifier. (Submitted Photo). — Imani Tate, #8 for the USVI, drives the ball to the basket during the USVI quarterfinal game against the Bahamas Thursday at the FIBA Women’s CentroBasket Qualifier. (Submitted photo).

The USVI women set the offensive tone early in the game, scoring 18 of their 20 first-quarter points in the paint. The Virgin Islands ended the opening frame with a 20-13 lead. However, the Bahamian team woke up and controlled the second quarter after losing one of their starters, Lashann Higgs, to a serious leg injury late in the first. The Bahamas flooded the basket, scoring 28 points, propelling them to a 41-38 halftime advantage.

Natalie Kleemann-Day, #10 for the USVI, decides her next move during the USVIquarterfinal game against the Bahamas at the FIBA Women’s CentroBasket Qualifier. (Submitted Photo). — Natalie Kleemann-Day, #10 for the USVI, decides her next move during the USVI quarterfinal game against the Bahamas Thursday at the FIBA Women’s CentroBasket Qualifier. (Submitted photo).

USVI Head Coach Tajama Ngongba had to give a halftime speech for the ages as the USVI ladies came out of the locker room on a mission. The USVI essentially built a dam around the basket, allowing only 18 points in the entire second half. The Virgin Islands cruised to a 74-59 victory over the Bahamas.

Imani Tate and Natalie Kleemann-Day led the team offensively with 16 and 14 points, respectively. Tate filled the stats sheet in this game with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 5 assists. Anisha George controlled the boards with 9 rebounds. Lanese Bough registered 8 assists. They demonstrated their unity as the USVI recorded 22 assists in the game.

Friday night, the USVI will take on the first-place finisher in Group A, Mexico. The ladies from Mexico are currently undefeated, pressuring the ball from baseline to baseline. The USVI has experienced guards and is playing with a great deal of confidence. The game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EST. You can watch it live on YouTube. Go to the YouTube page, type FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 CentroBasket Qualifier 2026 in the search engine, and click on the ISV vs. MEX game.