Colorado Edges Brown In Bears Paradise Jam Finale
Brown University Press Release
ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Brown men’s basketball team held the lead for over 30 minutes, but ultimately fell 54-52 to Colorado in its final game of the 2021 Paradise Jam.
“We certainly had our chances in that one, but unfortunately came up just a play or two short,” head coach Mike Martin said. “I was pleased with how our team defended and rebounded against a team that has been excellent scoring and getting offensive rebounds coming into our game. We continue to learn a lot about our group and I’m optimistic about how we will grow from this tournament.”
Paxson Wojcik and Dan Friday led the Bears with 14 and 13 points respectively. Wojcik also had five rebounds. David Mitchell had a team-high six rebounds and Tamenang Choh led the Bears with three assists.
Brown limited Colorado to five offensive rebounds and just four second-chance points, both season lows for the Buffaloes who had been averaging over 13 offensive boards a game. Colorado had also been averaging 83.6 points per game before taking on the Bears, who held them almost 30 points below their season average.
The Bears got out to a fast start after buckets by Friday, Wojcik, and Jaylan Gainey had them up 7-3 just under three minutes in. Brown would get some separation at points during the first 20, taking an eight-point lead three times at 20-12, 22-14, and 30-22.
Colorado put in two late free throws to cut the deficit to six at the break.
The second half started slow with just three points scored between the two teams over the first three and a half minutes. The Bears pushed their lead to seven on a Wojcik three with 14:30 remaining, but the Buffaloes would respond by scoring nine straight to take the lead with 11:12 left in the game, their first since leading 2-1 in the first minute of action.
The final 11 minutes of the game saw eight lead changes and four ties.
Kimo Ferrari hit a three to give Brown the 40-39 lead, but Colorado answered with a three of its own to go back in front. Six straight points from Friday swung things back in the Bears’ favor to lead 46-44 with 7:46 to go.
After a jumper and a free throw by the Buffaloes, Choh retook the lead at 48-47 with a tough drive and bucket in the paint. Colorado would go back up 49-48, but a jumper by Friday would give Brown its final lead of the game at 50-49 with 2:03 to go.
The Buffaloes drove in for a layup, caused a turnover, and hit a jumper to retake the 53-50 lead.
The two sides traded free throws in the closing seconds followed by a desperation heave by Brown that bounced off the top of the backboard.
The two-point deficit goes down as the closest game the Bears have played against a Power Five school since beating Northwestern in the 2007-08 season.
Brown will return home to face Bryant this Friday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m.
