ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands: The University of Nevada (5-3) won the Paradise Jam on Monday night with a dominating 77-62 victory over Bowling Green (5-2) at the University of the Virgin Islands' Sports and Fitness Center.  With the victory, first-year Wolf Pack head coach Steve Alford became the first coach to win two Paradise Championships.  Alford led his 2012 New Mexico team to the championship.

The Pack trailed for the first time in the tournament 2-0 but just 41 seconds later junior Jalen Harris' 3-poiner put Nevada ahead to stay 3-2 in the title game.  The Pack built a 10-point advantage with 13:47 to go in the first half and with 1:40 to go it ballooned to 20-points, 39-19.  The Pack took an 18-point advantage into the locker room.

Nevada pushed the lead to 22 points early in the second half but the Falcons cut it to 11 with 7:45 to play.  The Pack answered with a 3-pointer by Jazz Johnson, one of his career high tying seven in the game.  Each time BGSU closed the gap the Wolf Pack had an answer.  It seemed to be either Harris or Johnson putting the dagger in the Falcons as Nevada won by 15 at the end of the night.

Johnson scored a game-high 25 points, one off his season high of 26 and two of his career high of 27 last season at Air Force when he first made seven 3-pointers.  Harris had his third 20-point game of the tournament and dished out a game-high seven assists.  Senior Lindsey Drew posted the Pack's first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  It is Drew's third career double-double.

Game Notes:

Nevada (5-3) defeated Bowling Green (5-2) 77-62 to win the Paradise Jam Championship on Monday night in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.


The Wolf Pack returns home to host Santa Clara (5-1) on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at Lawlor Events Center.

Junior Jalen Harris was named the Paradise Jam MVP.  Harris was also selected as the game MVP in all three of the Pack's wins.  He averaged 22.3 points, six rebounds and 6.3 assists in the tournament.

Senior Jazz Johnson was named the all-tournament team after averaging 19.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.  Johnson made 15-of-25 3-pointers which is 60 percent.

Head coach Steve Alford became the first coach to win two Paradise Jam championships.  Alford led his 2012 New Mexico squad to the title.  

Alford is eight wins from 600 in his college coaching career.  His record is 592-301 in 29 seasons.

Nevada won all three games by doubles figures, an average of 18 points per game.

The combined record of the three teams Nevada defeated was 12-2 prior to the Pack playing them.

Johnson scored a game-high 25 points in the title game and made 7-of-10 from behind the arc.  The seven made 3-pointers tied his career high.

Harris finished the night with 20 points, his third 20-point game of the tournament.  He also dished out a game-high seven assists and committed just one turnover.

Senior Lindsey Drew posted the Pack's first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  The 10 rebounds tied for game honors.  It was Drew's third career double-double.

The Wolf Pack posted a 3-1 record in its first trip away from Reno over a 10-day span. 

In the three games at the Paradise Jam the Pack trailed for just 41 seconds.  Nevada did not trail in the first two games and just the 41 seconds tonight.  BGSU scored the first two points of the game and Harris nailed a 3-pointer 41 seconds later to put Nevada ahead to stay 3-2.

Nevada has won a season-high three in a row.


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