Arizona Wildcats and Texas A&M Aggies are 2021 Paradise Jam Women Tournament Champions

The final day of 2021 Paradise Jam was once again filled with excitement. After this three-day event held in the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center, the University of Arizona and Texas A&M proved to be the best teams within their division. The final day featured four games.

Island Division

Game 9 – DePaul University 91 – Vanderbilt University 74

DePaul University Blue Demons (5-2) were down early but came back to claim a decisive 91–74 victory over Vanderbilt University Commodores (4-4) on the final day of the 2021 Paradise Jam basketball tournament. The Commodores looked more like a group of bees on defense swarming to the ball, forcing the Blue Demons to cough up the ball 16 times to take a 28-12 lead at the end of the opening period. The Commodores’ sting wasn’t as potent in the second half as the Blue Demons had only seven turnovers and started to find their touch on offense. Sonya Morris took over this game for DePaul in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 consecutive points. Morris finished with a game-high 36 points and her teammate Aneesah Morrow also had an all-star performance accumulating 28 points and collecting 15 rebounds for the Blue Demons. Jordyn Cambridge led Vanderbilt with 17 points. Sacha Washington came off the bench to add 14 points and grab ten rebounds.

Game 10 – University of Arizona 80 – Rutgers University 44

The Arizona Wildcats (7-0) had no trouble with Rutgers University Scarlet Knights (4-4) in the final game of the Island Division of the 2021 Paradise Jam women’s tournament. The Lady Wildcats led from the opening tip and never looked back, scaring the Knights in their 80-44 win on Saturday. Rutgers managed to make only three field goals for the entire first half, while Arizona couldn’t miss in the second quarter shooting 68%, leading to 34 points in the final period of the half. The Scarlet Knights did outscore the Wildcats in the second half, 36-34. Cate Reese led Arizona with 16 points. Gisela Sanchez and Aaronette Vonleh came off the bench and contributed 15 and 12 points, respectively. Osh Brown led Rutgers with nine points. The University of Arizona claimed the Island Division championship trophy with the win.

Arizona’s Cate Reese was named the Island Division MVP. Sam Thomas, also of Arizona, joined Reese on the All-Tournament Team. Aneesha Morrow and Sonya Morris of DePaul and Jordyn Cambridge of Vanderbilt round out the Island Division All-Tournament selection.