Missouri State Emerges Victorious in Paradise Jam Showdown

In an exhilarating finale at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, the Missouri State Bears clinched the 2023 Paradise Jam championship with a decisive 87-68 win over Abilene Christian on Monday night.

Leading the charge for the Bears was Alston Mason, who dazzled with a commanding 21-point performance, playing a pivotal role in their triumph.

The contest kicked off with Abilene Christian setting an aggressive tone, swiftly amassing a 10-point lead (19-9) within the initial five minutes. They maintained this edge until around the 9:49 mark, boasting a 30-20 lead. However, the Bears gradually began to turn the tide, narrowing the deficit to a mere point (33-32) with 6:48 remaining in the first half. A critical moment came when Missouri State leveled the score with a free throw and then surged ahead with a 3-pointer by Chance Moore. By halftime, the Bears had not only overcome the deficit but had also established an eight-point advantage (45-37), outscoring their opponents 17-4 in the closing 7:45 of the first half.

The second half saw Abilene Christian valiantly attempt a comeback, shrinking Missouri State’s lead to just one point (55-54) with 13:53 left in the match. Nonetheless, the Bears exhibited remarkable resilience, outperforming ACU 12-6 in the following minutes, marked by flawless execution on the floor (3-of-3) and at the free-throw line (4-for-4), thereby extending their lead to 67-58. Missouri State continued its dominant performance, eventually securing a comfortable double-digit lead and the championship.

Missouri State’s Matthew Lee and Donovan Clay earned spots on the all-tournament team, joining the ranks of Abilene Christian’s Ali Abdou Dibba and Hunter Jack Madden, Kent State’s Chris Payton Jr., and San Jose State’s Myron Amey. This impressive victory establishes Missouri State as the second consecutive Missouri Valley Conference team to clinch the Paradise Jam title, a distinction previously held by Drake in 2022.