CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands’ men’s national team pulled one out of the hat on Sunday to eke out a victory in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup’s Americas Qualifiers.
Game high scorer Georgio Milligan stepped up to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat 64-59.
The USVI’s defeat of Chile means the South Americans do not advance in FIBA competition.
Milligan finished with 26 points on the night. The Virgin Islands team overall was 24 of 62 from the field, for a shooting percentage of 39 percent.
THE AMERICAS
Brazil would secure a spot in the World Cup with a win in any of their last two games. They would secure a top-three finish in Group F with a win against the Dominican Republic, but a win against Virgin Islands would suffice if they win the tie-breaker against the Dominican Republic. Either way, if they win against the Virgin Islands, they would be guaranteed to, at worst, qualify as the best-ranked fourth-placed team.
Dominican Republic would secure a direct spot in the World Cup with two wins in Group F but just the lone win against Brazil would suffice if they win the tie-breaker and Brazil lose to Virgin Islands. Alternatively, they could qualify as the best fourth-placed team in the Americas.
Can no longer qualify: Chile, Virgin Islands