Nov. 19, 2007 — The semifinals of the men's division of the Paradise Jam Tournament took place Sunday evening, with two action-packed games at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas.
The gym buzzed with excitement as Georgia Tech and Winthrop warmed up before their game. Both teams seemed to be equally matched, as neither could establish control in the first half, trading baskets and going through multiple lead changes. Tech shot 58 percent in the first half, allowing them to take a slim six-point lead, 39-33, into the break.
Tech came out in the second half and managed to push the six-point lead to 10, 35-45, with 17:50 left in the game. Back-to-back three's by Winthrop's Michael Jenkins cut the Yellow Jackets' lead to four, 41-45. A three by the Eagles' Chris Gaynor tied the game at 45 with 15:47 to go. Jenkins then gave Winthrop back the lead with a jump shot at the free-throw line.
Georgia Tech ended their three-minute scoring drought on a dunk from Gani Lawal to tie the game at 47. The combination of Gaynor and Jenkins down the stretch was too much for the Yellow Jackets. Jenkins scored eight of his 20 points in the second half, while Gaynor scored nine of his 13 points in the second half, including three for four from behind the arc.
Winthrop held on for the 79-73 victory, putting them in the tournament's championship game. Georgia Tech's Alade Aminu finished with 19 points and five rebounds, while Lewis Clinch finished with 14 points and six assists.
In the second game of the evening, the Baylor Bears took on the Fighting Irish from Notre Dame for a chance to face Winthrop in the finals. Baylor freshman LaceDarius Dunn's three-pointer with 33 seconds left in the game carried the Bears to their surprising 68-64 victory over the Irish.
Winthrop and Baylor will play at 9:30 Monday evening for the tournament's championship title.
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