The 25th rendition of Basketball Travelers Inc’s Paradise Jam started on Friday, with four men’s games at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Game 1 – Longwood 89 – UAB 81
The Lancers of Longwood University took on the Blazers of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the opening game of the 2024 Paradise Jam men’s division. This game was close most of the way, as the lead changed hands 18 times, and the score was tied 23 times. The game was knotted at 76 with 2:55 left in regulation before the Lancers took control using a 13-5 run to secure the eight-point victory. Longwood was led by graduate student Michael Christmas with 15 points and Senior Guard Kyrell Luc with 14 points. UAB’s top performers were Senior Forward Yaxel Lendeborg, with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Guard Ja’boori McGhee added 16 points and registered four assists for the Blazers.
Game 2 – McNeese 76 – Illinois St. 68
McNeese State Cowboys is coming off an impressive 2023-2024 campaign, during which they won 30 games and only lost four earning them a spot in the 2024 NCAA National Basketball Tournament. The Cowboys seized control of this game midway into the first half, enjoying a 15-point lead late in the opening frame. The Redbirds of Illinois kept the game close but could not put together a complete run to get them back into the game. Javohn Garcia led the way for the Cowboys with 16 points. Teammates Brandon Murray and Sincere Parker contributed 13 points each for the winning team. Ty Pence was the top scorer for Illinois State with 14 points.
Game 3 – Liberty 89 – Louisiana 69
The Liberty University Flames were blazing, shooting 18-24 from the field in the first half and 67.3 percent for the game. This game was never in doubt, as the red-hot Flames shot 50 percent from behind the 3-point line. Senior Guard Kaden Metheny led the way with 20 points, including four shots from distance. Four other Flames contributed 12 points each. Senior Guard Christian Wright was the game’s top scorer with 21 for the Ragin’ Cajuns for the University of Louisiana. Koron Davis dropped 13 points for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Game 4 – Kansas St. 83 – George Washington 71
In the final game of the evening, Kansas State Wildcats defense held George Washington to 25 percent shooting from the field in the first half. The Wildcats pounced out to a 19-point lead in the opening frame and coasted to a 12-point victory. Senior Forward David N’Guessan registered 17 points and grabbed nine boards for the Wildcats. Junior Guard Dug Michael added 13 points for Kansas State. Sophomore guard Jacoi Hutchinson scored a game-high 19 points and stole the ball four times for George Washington. Rafael Castro, a red-shirt Freshman, scored 12 points for the Revolutionaries.
The tournament continues on Saturday, with two tournament games at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Illinois State will play UAB at 4 p.m. Louisiana will take on George Washington at 6:30 p.m. The final game of the evening will feature the Charlotte Amalie High School Chicken Hawks against their rivals, the Ivanna Eudora Kean Dynamite Rays at 9 p.m.
