CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP)—Even though it was early in the season, Alabama was happy to return home with the Paradise Jam tournament championship.
Mykal Riley led No. 8 Alabama (4-0) with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the 63-56 win Monday night over Xavier in the championship game.
Alonzo Gee, who was named MVP of the tournament, added 13 points and Jamareo Davidson had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
“I thought tonight was a gutsy performance. For a November game, that was an NCAA tournament-type atmosphere out there,” said coach Mark Gottfried.
Davidson iced his back after the game, a nagging reminder of the car accident a little more than a week ago that killed his girlfriend. He missed the first game of the tournament mourning her in the mainland before joining his team Sunday in this U.S. Caribbean territory.
With three minutes left, Davidson made a circus shot—a one-handed no-look lob with his back to the basket—putting Alabama up 62-54.
Alabama out rebounded Xavier 45-36.
“Me, Jamareo, and Alonzo as well, we pride ourselves on pulling rebounds— blue collar, hard working stuff,” said Richard Hendrix.
Josh Duncan scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Xavier (3-1). Johnny Wolf added 13 points and three rebounds for the Musketeers.
“They wore us down inside. We didn’t attack the zone very well. We’ll get better at that,” said Xavier coach Sean Miller.
