The final day of the 2024 Paradise Jam Men’s Tournament held at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center featured four exciting games.
Championship Game – Liberty University 62 – McNeese State University 58
Liberty’s light was just too bright as the Flames burned through the field to win the Men’s Division of the 2025 Paradise Jam. The Flames faced the Cowboys of McNeese State University in the championship. Defense was the theme of this game. Liberty allowed the Cowboys to make only one 3-point basket. McNeese shot 8.3 percent from behind the arch. The Cowboys held the Flames to their worst shooting percentage of this tournament, 41.7 percent. The Flames’ light shone brightest on the free-throw line late in the game. Liberty made 5-out-of-6 three throws in the final three minutes of the game. The Cowboys missed three out of four free throws during that same time. Colin Porter scored 16 points and distributed assists for Liberty. Christian Shumate was the top scorer for McNeese State.
Third Place Game – Kansas State University 80 – Longwood University 54
The Wildcats of Kansas State University was the team favored to win this tournament. However, they were upset in the semi-finals by Liberty. The Wildcats pounced on the Lancers of Longwood State early, and they kept the pressure on for the entire game. Kansas State dynamic duo Coleman Hawkins and Brendan Hausen led the team in scoring with 19 and 16, respectively. Hawkins also grabbed ten rebounds and registered five assists. Kyrell Luc led Longwood in scoring with 15 points. Colby Garland added 13 points for the Lancers.
Fifth Place Game – George Washington University 72 – Illinois State University 64
Illinois State Redbirds seemingly had control of this game against the George Washington Revolutionaries. The Redbirds led by 13 with 12:25 left in the game. It was the Revolutionaries, not the Redbirds, who pecked away until the lead was gone. George Washington outscored Illinois State 40-19 in the last 12 minutes of the game. Trey Autry and Gerald Drumgoole Jr. each scored 16 for George Washington. Chase Walker led Illinois State with 18 points, and teammate Johnny Kinziger added 16.
Seventh Place Game–University of Alabama at Birmingham 98–University of Louisiana 86
It was a shootout at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center, as defense was optional in this high-scoring affair between the UAB Blazers and Louisiana Rajin’ Cajuns. After losing their first two games, both teams were fighting to end this tournament with a win. The first half was close. The largest lead both teams enjoyed was five points. The second half was also competitive until the 8:00 mark. UAB scored 24 points in the next six minutes of the game while holding the Ragin’ Cajuns to five points. Alejandro Vasquez of UAB was the top performer for the game, scoring 25 points. Yaxel Lendeborg contributed 20 points for the Blazers. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil and Christian Wright led Louisiana on the scoreboard with 19 and 15 points, respectively.
The Women Got Next. The focus now turns to the women’s bracket. That starts on Thanksgiving Day.
Here is the complete schedule:
Thursday
Game 1 – Pittsburg vs Kansas – 1:30 p.m. – Island Tournament
Game 2 – Northern Iowa vs Auburn – 4:00 p.m. – Island Tournament
Game 1 – Missouri State vs Gonzaga – 6:30 p.m. – Reef Tournament
Game 2 – Texas Tech vs Florida State – 9:00 p.m. – Reef Tournament
Friday
Game 3 – Auburn vs Pittsburgh – 1:30 p.m. – Island Tournament
Game 4 – Kansas vs Northern Iowa – 4:00 p.m. – Island Tournament
Game 3 – Florida State vs Missouri State – 6:30 p.m. – Reef Tournament
Game 4 – Gonzaga vs Texas Tech – 9:00 p.m. – Reef Tournament
Saturday
Game 5 – Northern Iowa vs Pittsburgh – 1:30 p.m. – Island Tournament
Game 6 – Auburn vs Kansas – 4:00 p.m.– Island Tournament
Game 5 – Texas Tech vs Missouri State – 6:30 p.m. – Reef Tournament
Game 6 – Florida State vs Gonzaga – 9:00 p.m. – Reef Tournament
