Riley, Alabama handle Xavier to capture Paradise Jam

Updated: Nov 20, 2006, 11:43 pm

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) -- Even though it was

early in the season, Alabama (No. 9 ESPN/USA Today; No. 8 AP) was happy to return home with the

Paradise Jam tournament championship.

Mykal Riley led Alabama (4-0) with 13 points, 10 rebounds

and five assists in the 63-56 win Monday night over Xavier in the

championship game.

Alozno Gee, who was named MVP of the tournament, added 13 points

and Jamareo Davidson had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

"I thought tonight was a gutsy performance. For a November

game, that was an NCAA tournament-type atmosphere out there," said

coach Mark Gottfried.

Davidson iced his back after the game, a nagging reminder of the

car accident a little more than a week ago that killed his

girlfriend. He missed the first game of the tournament mourning her

in the mainland before joining his team Sunday in this U.S.

Caribbean territory.

With three minutes left, Davidson made a circus shot -- a

one-handed no-look lob with his back to the basket -- putting

Alabama up 62-54.

Alabama outrebounded Xavier 45-36.

"Me, Jamareo, and Alonzo as well, we pride ourselves on pulling

rebounds -- blue collar, hard working stuff," said Richard Hendrix.

Josh Duncan scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds for

Xavier (3-1). Johnny Wolf added 13 points and three rebounds for

the Musketeers.

"They wore us down inside. We didn't attack the zone very well.

We'll get better at that," said Xavier coach Sean Miller.