In a game surrounded by uncertainty, Champion Christian College takes the win against an NAIA opponent in The University of The Virgin Islands, 90-73. 

The Tigers woke up November 17th, 2022, with the mindset of any other mundane day of practice. After hearing their weekend classic had been cancelled the day before, spirits were low, and the team was reluctant to take on the day as the next countable game for the team would have to wait until December 10th. That all changed with Head Coach Mo Capaci received a call at 10 am. Excited and elated, he told the team that there would be a change of plans, the squad would be playing that night against unknown opponent, The University of The Virgin Islands. After a brief scouting report and walk through, the tip off was at 5:30, and it looked like the Tigers were not up for the game early. 

In the first half, UVI Buccaneers were getting anything they wanted at the basket. Layup after layup went in for the Buc's, as Champion put up little resistance around the rim. The Tigers looked to still be asleep on the offensive end of the court, starting the first half 0-12 for 3, and shooting barely over 40 percent from the field. Going into the half time break, the Tigers trailed 41-30, looking like the air had been taken from their sails and there was no hope.

Rather than lose his cool and blow a gasket, Mo Capaci had a great message in the locker room at half that kept Champion locked in. "Trust the gameplan. We're not switching up who we are." The players took his message to heart and looked ready to go after the quick talk.

To start the second half, it looked like a brand-new Champion Tiger team. The boys were flying around on the defensive end, forcing steals and 10 second violations, diving on the floor for loose balls, and most importantly, hitting shots. After going 0-12 for 3 in the first half, Champion shot a blistering 11-15 for 3, led by some big shots from Damian Bohlman, Xavier Hall, and AJ Williams. The Tigers were just as impressive on the defensive end, holding UVI to just 37% from the field and only allowing 32 points in the half. Offensively, it may have been one of the most impressive scoring outputs in Champion history, scoring 60 points in the half, while making 2 out of every 3 shots. Champion Christian College would cruise to victory, 90-73.

Some Notable Stats from the Game:

AJ WIlliams - 21 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds on 9/12 from the field and 2/4 for 3

Xavier Hall - 21 points, 3 rebounds on 9/16 from the field and 3/7 for 3

Braylon Hawkins - 15 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals on 5/11 shooting

KJ Corder - 13 points, 3 rebounds