Play Gets Underway in Paradise Jam Women’s Tournament

The women’s Paradise Jam Tournament got underway on Thanksgiving Day at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, and continues Friday and Saturday.

In the Island Tournament are Georgia, Seton Hall, VCU, and Wisconsin. Facing off in the Reef Tournament are Arkansas, Clemson, Kansas State, and Northern Arizona. Island Tournament games tip off at 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., with the Reef Tournament games taking place at 6:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Games are streamed on ESPN3.

Following is a recap of Thursday’s games.

Georgia plays Wisconsin in the first day of the women's Paradise Jam tournament at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)
Georgia plays Wisconsin on the first day of the Paradise Jam women’s tournament Thursday at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)

Game 1: Georgia vs. Wisconsin
After a hot start early, things quickly went south for Georgia. Leading by five after the first quarter, Wisconsin showed no signs of slowing down. Wisconsin’s lead was up to double digits by halftime as Georgia trailed 33 to 23. The Badgers came out swinging again in the third quarter, extending their lead to over 20 points at one point. The Lady Bulldogs trailed by 12 going into the fourth quarter, but they never gave up. Georgia’s impressive fourth-quarter effort led the Bulldogs to tie the game with just over six minutes left. With the momentum ultimately shifting to Georgia, they kept pushing and extended their lead to eight by the end of the game. The 26-0 run led Georgia to their biggest comeback in school history.

Final score: 68-60 UGA
Game leaders:
Georgia: Diamond Battles – 24 PTS, 4 STL, 5-9 3PT
Wisconsin: Avery Labarbera – 13 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST

VCU plays Seton Hall in the first day of the women's Paradise Jam tournament at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)
Seton Hall plays VCU on the first day of the Paradise Jam women’s tournament Thursday at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)

Game 2: Seton Hall vs. VCU
For the first quarter, the game was back and forth as Seton Hall led by just three after one. However, VCU dominated the second quarter, outscoring Seton Hall 21 to nine. With a nine-point lead at halftime, VCU was comfortable after two quarters. Seton Hall won the third quarter by just one point, keeping the game within eight heading into the fourth quarter. A solid late fourth-quarter push gave the Pirates the lead with just over 30 seconds left. With the shot clock winding down, VCU hit a game-winning shot with 3.7 seconds remaining.

Final score: 61-60 VCU
No further information was available.

Arkansas plays NAU in the first day of the women's Paradise Jam tournament at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)
Arkansas plays NAU on the first day of the Paradise Jam women’s tournament Thursday at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)

Game 3: Arkansas vs. NAU
After a back-and-forth first quarter, Arkansas led NAU 20 to 18 heading into the second quarter. NAU started the second quarter off hot, taking the lead over Arkansas. However, the Razorbacks were on fire toward the end of the second quarter, extending their lead to nine points by halftime. Once Arkansas got hot, they never looked back, dominating the second half and holding on to their nine-point lead. A late fourth-quarter effort by NAU wasn’t enough to overcome their deficit.

Final score: 82-73 Arkansas
Game leaders:
Arkansas: Samara Spencer – 27 PTS, 4 REB, 4 STL
NAU: Nyah Moran – 18 PTS, 3 STL

Kansas plays Clemson in the first day of the Paradise Jam women's tournament Thursday at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)
Kansas plays Clemson on the first day of the Paradise Jam women’s tournament Thursday at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Hunter Simpson)

Game 4: No. 25 Kansas State vs. Clemson
After a slow start in the first quarter, Kansas State found its rhythm, leading Clemson 18-11 heading into the second quarter. Things quickly shifted for Kansas State as Clemson started the second quarter scorching hot, leading the Wildcats by five at one point. However, Kansas State got back on track, leading the Tigers by three heading into halftime. The Kansas State Wildcats completely dominated the third quarter. After exchanging buckets to start the second half, the Wildcats went on a 23 to zero run, extending their lead to 26. Clemson would ultimately be outscored 30 to four in the third quarter, trailing 62-33. The fourth quarter was nothing different as Kansas State dominated once again. Their largest lead of the night was the final score as they beat the Clemson Tigers by 38 points.

Final Score: 76-38 KSU
Game Leaders:
Kansas State: Gabby Gregory – 22 PTS, 4 REB
Clemson: Ruby Whitehorn – 8 PTS, 5 REB