The final game of the 26th Edition of Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament left one team in joyous celebration and the other in disbelief as the shot to take the game into overtime bounced off the rim at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Championship Game – Yale 97 – Akron 94
The University of Yale Bulldogs held off a resilient University of Akron team to claim the 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s Championship 97 – 94. The Bulldogs controlled much of this game, flaunting a 15-point lead with under three minutes to go in the first half. The Zips of Akron never waved the white flag as they fought all the way back to tie the game at 80 with 5:00 minutes to play.
Yale’s Trevor Martin and Riley Fox hit back-to-back three-point baskets, providing basic insurance for the Bulldogs. Tavari Johnson scored two of his game-high 35 points and Amani Lyles nailed two free throws to bring Akron within two points. Yale’s Fox drained another three-point basket to stretch the lead to five points. In the final two minutes of the game, Johnson made two layups, and Bowen Hardman ignited the crowd by landing a bomb from downtown, shrinking the lead to one point with nine seconds left on the clock. But Mullin was a true Bulldog as he calmly made three pairs of free throws each time the Zips scored in the waning moments of this game.
Nick Townsend dominated on the offensive end, registering a double-double with 21 points and distributing 10 assists for Yale. Isaac Celiscar contributed 23 points for the Bulldogs. Johnson and Scott were the top scorers for the Zips with 35 and 25, respectively.
Yale’s Townsend was named the tournament MVP. Johnson and Eric Mahaffey of Akron were named to the All-Tournament Team. Justin Allen of Green Bay and Marcus Banks of the University of Massachusetts round off the five-man 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s All-Tournament Team Roster.
Third Place Game – College of Charleston 78 – Evansville 59
The College of Charleston defeated the University of Evansville 78 – 59 in the third-place game. Martin Kalu scored 21 points and snagged seven rebounds, and Connor Hickman added 16 points for the Cougars of Charleston. Connor Turnbull and Keishon Porter were the top two offensive performers for the Purple Aces with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
Fifth Place Game – Green Bay 80 – Iona 75
The University of Wisconsin Green Bay defeated Iona University 80 to 75, Monday afternoon at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Justin Allen sparked Green Bay’s offense with 28 points. Iona’s Lamin Sabally recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Seventh Place Game – UMass 73 – Oregon State 65
The University of Massachusetts earned its first win of the tournament, defeating the Beavers of Oregon State 73 – 65. Daniel Hankins-Sanford messed around and got a double-double for the Minutemen of UMass with 24 points and 11 boards. Oregon State’s Malcolm Christie scored 17 points.
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