Marquette Wins Paradise Jam Title Game

By J.B. Marquette Fan | Posted Wednesday, November 30

At the end of the day, a mere two points separated Marquette and Norfolk State when they faced off in the Paradise Jam championship game. A last minute, tie-breaking dunk by Jae Crowder gave Marquette the advantage, and ultimately the 59-57 win.

Despite never falling behind Monday night, Marquette was on its heels against a Norfolk team that seemed completely different from one they crushed in Milwaukee just days earlier. Norfolk’s 99-68 loss at the Bradley Center on November fourteenth may have inspired them to play better ball. Getting a second chance to play a team in just seven days allows you to correct your mistakes. Norfolk did just that.

Marquette's Lead Evaporated Late in the Game

Pendarvis Williams evened the score at fifty-seven with just two minutes remaining, giving the Spartans their first chance at taking the lead. Each team had a chance to ice the game in the final minute, but what put the Golden Eagles ahead for good was Crowder's slam dunk with just seconds to play. A final three point attempt by Norfolk’s Kyle O'Quinn just missed. Marquette gobbled up the rebound and held it until the buzzer.

The Golden Eagles Darius Johnson-Odom led the championship game with twenty points. Following the win, Johnson-Odom was named the tournament's MVP.