2016 Paradise Jam Tournament

Women's Tournament

The women's tournament will be played from November 24–26. The women's tournament consists of 8 teams split into two 4-team, round-robin divisions: Island and Reef.

Participating Teams

Island Division:

Reef Division:

Island division

Both Kansas State and NC State were undefeated when they met in the first round. Kansas State opened up a seven point lead by the end of the first quarter and expanded the lead over the course of the game, including an 11–0 run in the fourth quarter to ending up with a 67–50 win. Although the Wildcats did not shoot well, their defense held the Wolfpack to 26% shooting. KSU's Kindred Wesemann hit four of seven three-pointers and scored 17 points to lead all scorers.

LSU missed their first five shot attempts which allowed the University of Texas El Paso Miners (UTEP) to take a 4–0 lead early in the game. The Tigers tie the game at six points each and then went on a 13–0 run to take a large lead they would never give up. Chloe Jackson recorded a double double for LSU with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Shanice Norton scored 15 points to help the team to a 78–45 win.

Reef division

Michigan took on 25th ranked Gonzaga, with both teams undefeated at the beginning of the game. Michigan opened up a lead early and held onto lead throughout the game although Gonzaga close the gap to four points late in the game. Michigan's Nicole Munger Hit a three-pointer to extend the lead from 4 to 7 points with a little over three minutes left and drew a charge in the final minute of play then was filed on the inbound play and hit free throws to put the game away. Michigan's Katelynn Flaherty and Siera Thompson Had 22 and 21 points respectively to help lead the Wolverines to a 78–66 victory over the ranked team, and give Gonzaga their first loss of the season.

10th-ranked Florida State took on Winthrop. The Seminole scored six points before the Eagles would score, in the game was never close. Florida State held Winthrop to 3 points in the second quarter. Leticia Romero, who had missed some early games with a sore hamstring, scored 17 points to help the Seminoles to a 98–35 victory.

Island division

Kansas State faced LSU in their second round game. The game was close early on the Wildcats holding on to a two point lead at halftime, but Kansas State outscored the Tigers 19–8 in the third quarter to open up the lead to double digits. The two teams played roughly evenly in the fourth quarter leading to a 69–54 when by the Wildcats extending their record to 5–0. KSU's Kindred Wesemann scored 24 points, which included five three-pointers.

UTEP led NC State by two points at the end of the first quarter, and led by as many as five points before the Wolfpack close the half on a 16–3 run to take in a point lead at halftime. NC State extended the lead to double digits, with UTEP briefly cutting into nine points but NC State restored the large lead and ended the game with the 71–55 victory. UTEP had a higher field-goal percentage, a higher three-point percentage and a higher free-throw percentage, but 24 turnovers versus only 12 for the Wolfpack gave NC State many more opportunities to score.

Reef division

Michigan was tied with Winthrop at eight points each, almost halfway through the first quarter, but the Wolverines opened up a lead, and extended it in the second quarter when they held Winthrop scoreless for over half the quarter. Michigan opened up strongly after half including an 11–0 run to put the game out of reach. Twelve Michigan players were in the game for five minutes or more in all but one scored. Michigan won the game 76–39.

10th-ranked Florida State took on 25th ranked Gonzaga in a battle of two ranked teams. Florida State opened up a double-digit lead halfway through the first quarter. Gonzaga managed to cut the lead to single digits on several occasions but never threatened to take a lead. The final score in favor of the Seminoles was 87–69. Florida State's Leticia Romero scored 25 points to represent a career-high.

Island division

LSU took on NC State on the final day of the tournament. After multiple lead changes early, LSU took the lead in the second quarter and led until the final seconds. With 12 seconds left in the game, Raigyne Moncrief made a layup to cut the lead to a single point. NC State was fouled and made one of two free throws to push the lead back to two points. With six seconds left in the game, Moncrief raced up court, with her coach, Nikki Fargas, yelling at her that she only needed a two pointer, but she pulled up at the three point arc and hit a three-pointer only the second made three-pointer in her career, to win the game. The final score was 59–58. LSU finished in second place in the division.

Kansas State faced the UTEP Miners. The game was never close, with the Wildcats opening up a double-digit lead midway through the first quarter, and maintaining and extending the lead throughout the game. The final score in favor of Kansas State was 61–40.

Kansas State's Kindred Wesemann earned the MVP honors for the island division, averaging 20 points per game during the tournament. KSU's Breanna Lewis, LSU’s Chloe Jackson and Raigyne Moncrief, and NC State’s Jennifer Mathurin were also named to the Island division all tournament team.

Reef division

Gonzaga took on Winthrop in the final day of the Reef Division tournament. The Zag's Jill Barta recorded her first double double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds, setting a career-high for rebounds. She help the team to a 71–41 victory over Winthrop.

Florida State faced Michigan on the final day of the tournament. The game stayed close until midway through the fourth quarter when Florida State extended a single digit lead to double digits and ended up with a 76–62 victory to secure first place in the Reef division. Florida State's Shakala Thomas and Imani Wright each scored 19 points, while Thomas pulled down 11 rebounds to record her first double double of the season. Michigan's Katelynn Flaherty and Kysre Gondrezick scored 18 and 17 points respectively.

Florida State's Leticia Romero was named the MVP for the reef division. She had 19 of 27 shots for a tournament record 70.4% field-goal percentage. She was joined on the all tournament team by teammate Shakayla Thomas, Michigan’s Katlelyn Flaherty and Hallie Thome, and Gonzaga’s Jill Barta.