Nov. 18, 2001 – The Paradise Jam 2001 NCAA basketball men’s division play continued Sunday evening at the University of the Virgin Islands as the LaSalle University Explorers took advantage of Morris Brown University’s missed opportunities to beat the Wolverines 63-49.
The Explorers controlled the backboards at the Sports and Fitness Center and put the game out of reach in the first half, with more rebounds than the Wolverines had points, 24-17. The LaSalle players used their total control of the glass to double the Morris Brown score, 34-17, by the end of the half. Most of the Explorers' offense and board control came from Rasual Butler, who had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the half.
The second half saw more evenly balanced scoring — 32 points for the Wolverines and 29 for the Explorers — but for Morris Brown it was not enough to overcome their first-half deficit.
Overall, Butler lead the Explorers with 17 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. His teammates Reggie Okosa and Dwayne Jones contributed 17 and 11 points, respectively.
Wolverine high scorers were Chris Thomas with 13 points and Sam Daniels with 12. Amien Hicks led the team in rebounds, with seven.
The Explorers won their first game of the season and tournament, while the Wolverines' record for the UVI tourney dropped to 0-2.
Later Sunday night, Miami was playing Eastern Michigan. Paradise Jam continues Monday with women's Dayton University vs. St. Mary's at 4 p.m., men's Clemson vs. LaSalle at 6:30 p.m., and men's Miami vs. University of Alabama-Birmingham at 9 p.m.
For the full tournament schedule, see "NCAA basketball tourney set for November".
