The third quarter defined all four games played on the opening day of the 2025 Paradise Jam Women’s Tournament at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Harbor Division Tournament
GAME 1 – Tulane University 64 – Elon University 61
The University of Elon Phoenix’s Tyana Walker hit all three of her first-half shots from beyond the arc, giving her team an eight-point advantage at intermission. In the third, she only took one shot, allowing the Green Wave of Tulane University to change the tide, outscoring the Phoenix 29-9 in the third quarter. Elon found themselves down eight points going into the final frame before Walker went back to work. She nailed three more shots from a distance, giving the Phoenix a 61-60 lead with about two minutes to go in the game. The Wave flooded their attention to Walker, who missed her final four shots from the field. Tulane held on for the 64-61 win. Mecailin Marshall was the Wave’s top scorer with 17 points. Walker led all scorers with 22 for Elon.
GAME 2 – Boise State University 65 – University of North Dakota 45
The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks played the Broncos of Boise State University well in the first half. The Fighting Hawks shot 52.2% from the field and only trailed by 4 points at the end of the second period. North Dakota left their shooting touch in the locker room in the second half, only making three shots for the entire half, including missing all 12 of their three-point shots. Tatum Thompson and Dani Bayes led the offensive charge for the Broncos with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Mackenzie Hughes scored 15 points for North Dakota.
Island Division Tournament
GAME 3 – BYU 64 – Virginia Tech University 60
Virginia Tech University was in front of Brigham Young University (BYU) after the first twenty minutes of play. However, over the next 10 minutes of the game, the Hokies of Virginia Tech managed only 11 points. The Cougars took full advantage, shooting 47% in the third quarter, affording them a 43-38 advantage going into the final period. BYU never relinquished the lead, winning the game by the score of 64-61. Sydney Benally of BYU and Carleigh Wenzel of Virginia Tech were the game’s top scorers, each recording 18 points.
GAME 4 – Vanderbilt University 88 – Oregon State University – 65
Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes put on a show, dropping 35 points in the Commodores’ blowout victory over the Beavers of Oregon State University. The Commodores held a 13-point advantage after the first 10 minutes of play. The Beavers responded by outscoring Vanderbilt in the second, trailing by five going into halftime. The Commodores installed a full-court press in the third, forcing 11 turnovers and stretching the lead to 26 points by the end of the frame. Vanderbilt cruised to the 88 – 66 victory. Blakes ended with 35 points and four assists. Justine Pissott made five three-point shots for Vandy, finishing with 17 points. Jenna Villa and Ally Schimel both scored 15 for the Beavers.
The tournament continues on Friday:
Harbor Division
Elon University vs. University of North Dakota – 1:30 p.m.
Tulane University vs Boise State University – 4 p.m.
Reef Division
Miami (OH) vs Washington State – 6:30 p.m.
Marist University vs LSU – 9 p.m.
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