The 2024 Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament came to an end on Saturday, with the University of Kansas winning the Island Tournament and the Florida State University Seminoles capturing the Reef Tournament at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Island Tournament
GAME 1 – University of Northern Iowa 90 – University of Pittsburgh 74
The first game of the last day of the 2024 Paradise Jam Island Division was a shootout at the PJ Coral in the first half. The University of Northern Iowa #24 Kayba Laube was locked and loaded, shooting 7-of-9 from 3-point range for 25 points in the half. Bella Perkins of the Pittsburgh Panthers made three of her team’s eight 3-point shots in the half. Both teams combined to make 17 total shots from behind the arch in the game’s opening half. UNI’s Laube set a program record and a career-high with ten made three-pointers. Her total of 34 points was a career-high for the senior guard. Perkin also recorded a career-high for the Pitt Panthers with 26 points.
game against the University of Pittsburg at the 2024 Paradise Jam.(Source photo by Mark J Daniel)
GAME 2 – University of Kansas 61 – Auburn University 60
It was a tale of two halves in the 2024 Paradise Jam Island Tournament Championship Game. The half Auburn Tigers controlled the game despite the absence of the star post player, forward DeYona Gaston, who picked up her second foul late in the first quarter and did not play at all in the second. Gaston’s teammates had her back as the Tigers entered intermission with a 40-28 advantage. Kansas outscored Auburn 20 to 7 in the third behind eight points from S’Mya Nichols in the frame. Auburn regained their composure and gained a 6-point advantage with 1:00 left in the game. Lala Conesa made 2 free throws for the Kansas Jayhawks. Nichols hit a three to draw her team to within 1 point with 31 seconds left on the clock. Jayhawks then fouled Auburn’s Mar’shaun Bostic who proceeded to miss both free throws. Tournament MVP Nichols then drove the ball to the basket, and the officials called a foul, to the dismay of the Auburn faithful, with 14 seconds to go in regulation. Nichols made both to put the Jayhawks up by one. Auburn had one final chance to win the game but Bostic missed a layup as the buzzer sounded. Nichols ended the game with a season-high 28 points for the Jayhawks. Celia Sumbane led Auburn with 16 points.
Here are the Island Division All-Tournament Team selections:
- Kayba Laube – University of Northern Iowa
- DeYona Gaston – Auburn University
- Celia Sumbane – Auburn University
- Elle Evans – University of Kansas
- S’Mya Nichols University of Kansas – Tournament MVP
Reef Tournament
GAME 3 – Texas Tech University 72 – Missouri State University 69
It was another quality game in the first game in the Reef Tournament at the 2024 Paradise Jam held at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Texas Tech University Lady Raiders and Missouri State University Lady Bears came into their final tournament game with a 1-1 record. This was a highly competitive game, with both teams working hard to gain control. Junior guard Jasmine Shavers came off the bench and provided a spark for the Lady Raiders. Shavers led all scorers with a career-high 32 points. Missouri State’s top scorer was Lacy Stokes with 17.
GAME 4 – Florida State University 95 – Gonzaga University 54
The Florida State University Seminoles dominated the final game of the 2024 Paradise Jam. Gonzaga University Bulldogs came into this game, losing the two games played in the tournament, while the Seminoles were undefeated. Reef Tournament MVP Ta’Niya Latson of Florida State registered a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The junior guard also distributed ten assists. Senior forward Makayla Thompson contributed 20 points for the Seminoles. Yvonne Ejim was the top scorer for Gonzaga with 20 points.
Here are the All-Tournament Team for the Reef Tournament:
- Yvonne Ejim – Gonzaga University
- Paige Rocca – Missouri State University
- Jasmine Shavers – Texas Tech University
- Makayla Timpson – Florida State University
- Ta’Niya Latson – Florida State University – Tournament MVP
