Opening day of the 2024 Paradise Jam Women’s Tournament featured extraordinary performances from the shortest players on the court at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Island Division Tournament
GAME 1 – University of Kansas 59 – University of Pittsburgh 53
The University of Kansas backcourt of S’Mya Nichols and Elle Evans controlled the pace of this game and guided the Jayhawks to a 6-point victory over the University of Pittsburgh. This one was close until Panthers’ center Khadija Faye had to leave the game for good due to injury with one minute to go in the third quarter. Nichols and Evans took advantage of the Panthers’ misfortune, as the duo accounted for 22 of the Jayhawk’s 24 points scored in the fourth. Nichols and Evans made 20 and 19 points, respectively, for the Jayhawks. Guard Mikayla Johnson was the top scorer, scoring 14 points for Pittsburgh.
GAME 2 – Auburn University 65 – University of Northern Iowa 64
The guards of Auburn University and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) had their footprints all over this game. Senior guard Maya McDermott used her quickness and toughness to make timely shots for the Panthers of UNI. Not to be outdone, the Tigers senior point guard Mar’shaun Bostic ran the offense and played solid defense all game. This game was tied with less than 30 seconds left in regulation. McDermott was fouled on her drive to the basket with three seconds left on the clock. McDermott nailed both, and Auburn called a quick timeout. DeYona Gaston got a clean look from 3-point land and made the shot with 1.5 on the left in the game. The Panthers’ Kayba Laube got the inbound pass and attempted to take a game-winning shot with Bostic defending. Laube’s shot was not on target, which caused the UNI coaching staff to cry foul, but the whistle was not forthcoming from the game officials. The Tigers escaped with the one-point victory. Bostic had herself a game with 7 points, 7 assists, and 3 blocks for Auburn. McDermott led the Panthers with 29 points.
Reef Division Tournament
GAME 3 – Missouri State University 65 – Gonzaga University 64
The floor generals in this game were senior guard Lacy Stokes of Missouri State University Lady Bears and freshman guard Allie Turner from the University of Gonzaga Bulldogs. Stokes impacted both ends of the court, distributing 4 assists on offense and claiming 4 steals for the Lady Bears. Turner also registered four assists for the Bulldogs. Missouri State maintained control of this game, taking a 52-40 lead into the final frame. The Bulldogs came charging back, tying the game at 60 with 13 seconds left on the clock. Stokes was fouled with two seconds left on the clock. She made one of 2 free throws. Gonzaga’s Ines Bettencourt missed a game-winning shot as time expired. The Lady Bears were led in scoring by Paige Rocca with 14 points and Kyrah Daniels and Stokes with 12 points each. Yvonne Ejim led everyone with 21 points for the Bulldogs. Turner added 13, and Bettencourt dropped 12 for Gonzaga.
GAME 4 – Florida State University 70 – Texas Tech University- 62
In the final game of the battle of the guards, it was Ta’Niya Latson and O’Mariah Gordon of the University of Florida State University against the Texas Tech University dynamic duo of Jasmine Shavers and Bailey Maupin. Latson and Gordon scored 50 of the Seminole’s 70 points, while Shavers and Maupin accounted for 50 percent of the Lady Raiders’ total tally. The Seminoles led this game from the opening basket to the final horn. Texas Tech got within 1 point of tying the score a few times, but the Seminoles had an answer every time. Latson and Gordon scored 30 and 20 points respectively. Shavers led the Lady Raiders with 18 points. Maupin chipped in 13 points.
Here are the scores from Friday:
Island Tournament Game 3 – Auburn University 82 – University of Pittsburgh 50
Island Tournament Game 4 – University of Kansas 76 – University of Northern Iowa 73
Reef Tournament Game 3 – Florida State University 97 – Missouri State University 66
Reef Tournament Game 4 – Texas Tech University 67 – Gonzaga University 49
The tournament continues on Saturday.
Island Division
University of Northern Iowa vs. University of Pittsburgh – 1:30 p.m.
Auburn University vs University of Kansas – 4 p.m.
Reef Division
Texas Tech University vs Missouri State University – 6:30 p.m.
Florida State University vs Gonzaga University – 9 p.m.
