Nov. 17, 2006 — Locals and visitors alike roared during two tight games at the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Saturday night, with the Toledo Rockets beating the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in a wild first-game overtime romp.
–Toledo 75, Middle Tennessee State 69, overtime–
Justin Ingram scored 32 points to lead Toledo, which trailed by as much as 20.
Keonta Howell had 21 points and six rebounds for the Rockets, who were down by 18 at the half.
Toledo went on a 22-2 scoring spree, taking the lead on Ingram's jumper, 56-55, with 2:50 left.
Kevin Kanaskie had 13 points and five assists, while Nigel Johnson finished with 13 points and five steals.
Calvin O'Neil's one-handed jumper in the paint broke a tie, putting the Blue Raiders up 61-59 with 26.1 seconds left.
Johnson stole a pass inside and Toledo was forced to foul with 7.1 seconds left. Then Johnson made one of two free-throws to put MTSU up by three.
But Ingram buried a three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left to force overtime at 62-62.
Neither team was able to put together a run in overtime, and Ingram's two free-throws with 24.8 seconds left pulled Toledo ahead 73-69.
Tim Blue, who finished with 14 points, missed a three-pointer with 10.4 left, and Tyrone Kent was fouled on the rebound. He made both shots.
MTSU shot 72.7 percent during the first half, third best in team history.
–Virginia Commonwealth 71, College of Charleston 59–
Jesse Pellot-Rosa scored 18 points to lead Virginia Commonwealth despite an all-around great game by College of Charleston's Dontaye Draper.
Draper led Charleston with 20 points, six assists, three steals, two rebounds and a block.
VCU's Eric Maynor added 12 point and grabbed six rebounds for the Rams. Wil Fameni had 12 points as well.
B.A. Walker scored his 1000th point, finishing with 1004 for his college career. He also set a VCU record for three-pointers with 183.
VCU won despite shooting just 33.3 percent in the first half and 39.3 for the game.
Charleston lost to Villanova 81-68 Friday and plays Toledo in the third round of the four-day tournament. VCU lost to Xavier 70-67 and plays MTSU next.
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