The FIBA Caribbean Women’s Championship: Virgin Islands halt Guyana’s momentum; The Bahamas shine

The FIBA Caribbean Women’s Championship delivered another thrilling day of competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, on Thursday evening, where fans witnessed two commanding performances that reshaped the momentum in Group A.

The US Virgin Islands handed host nation Guyana their first defeat of the tournament, while the Bahamas lit up the court with a high-powered display led by one of the event’s most explosive individual showings.
Guyana’s promising start to the tournament took a hit as they fell 78–54 to a well-organised and physically imposing Virgin Islands team. From the opening quarter, the visitors controlled the pace, outscoring Guyana in the first three quarters and applying pressure on both ends of the floor.
The star of the matchup was Anisha George, who powered the Virgin Islands with 23 points on an exceptional 83.3 per cent field-goal efficiency. Her dominance in the paint forced Guyana into tough defensive situations throughout the game. She received strong support from Taylor Jones, who added 18 points and helped maintain the offensive rhythm.
Guyana, despite the setback, showed grit and determination. Ruth Adams led the home side with 16 points, battling to keep her team competitive, while Joy Brown scored 13 and Anaya McDavid contributed 12. However, Guyana struggled to match the Virgin Islands’ consistency and execution, ultimately falling behind as the game progressed.

In the day’s other Group A showdown, the Bahamas delivered a statement performance with a 77–45 triumph over Suriname, driven by an electrifying offensive show from Lashann Higgs.
The Bahamian guard was in unstoppable form, pouring in 35 points, including an impressive seven three-pointers, igniting her team and sending the crowd into repeated bursts of excitement.
Supporting Higgs’ offensive explosion was Valerie Nesbitt, who contributed 13 points with steady leadership in the backcourt, and Mitchell Butler, who added 10 to round out a balanced Bahamas attack. The team’s strong transitions and perimeter shooting proved too much for Suriname to contain.
Suriname fought valiantly, leaning on Beyonce Jedinie, who top-scored with 15 points, and Chiniqua Pengel, who chipped in 10. Despite their efforts, the team struggled to handle the Bahamas’ pace and defensive pressure, particularly during a decisive 24-point third-quarter surge.
With the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas each registering convincing wins, momentum swings their way as the group stage intensifies. Guyana will now look to regroup on home soil and rebound in their upcoming fixtures, while Suriname aims to adjust and capitalise on their individual bright spots.