Washington Men, Gonzaga Women added to 2018 Vancouver Showcase

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Washington men’s basketball, which just upset No. 2 Kansas last week, along with the Gonzaga women, are the latest teams to join the tournament field for the inaugural Vancouver Showcase, a new NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournament that will be played next season. U.S.-based bd Global will manage the two tournaments in partnership with Sport Hosting Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver, VHDA and the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Washington joins the field along with Santa Clara, alma mater to Canada’s favorite basketball son, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. The two teams will battle Texas A&M and Minnesota in the top division of the men’s tournament, which will be played beneath the Convention Centre’s iconic sails on Nov. 18-20, 2018.

The eight-team women’s tournament will follow the completion of the men’s event on Nov. 22-24 and will feature Arizona State and Gonzaga as the first two teams announced. Arizona State has been a very successful Pac-12 program, appearing in postseason play 12 times. Gonzaga has won 12 of the past 13 West Coast Conference regular-season titles with NCAA Tournament appearances in nine of those years. Current freshman Louise Forsyth of Langley, B.C., plays for Gonzaga and now will have a chance to play in front of her home crowd. Unfortunately, her teammate who also hails from B.C., Emma Wolfram, is a current senior and will have completed her eligibility before next season.

“It was important for local recognition that we secure teams from the Northwest U.S. to participate in the first tournament here in Vancouver,” said Brooks Downing, bd Global president. “Having two household names – Washington and Gonzaga, as well as a player from B.C. in the field – will help us exceed our goals and objectives for this first-year event.”

The men’s and women’s tournaments will be played back-to-back. The Convention Centre’s exhibition space in its East building will be transformed into a 3,000-plus seat venue, complete with portable bleachers, portable floor, goals (baskets), and video boards to provide a first-class fan experience at every game.

“To have teams of this caliber in our first year of the event more than justifies the interest around the United States in what Vancouver has to offer,” said Howard Kelsey, co-tournament director and co-founder of the CDN National Teams Alumni Association. “We now look forward to showcasing Canada’s great interest in NCAA Division I basketball.”

All-session tickets for both events can now be purchased online. Patrons must select either the men’s or women’s tournament, then choose either a sideline ($169 CAD) or end zone ($99 CAD) seat. For the men’s event, which is two four-team tournaments, the price includes all eight games. For the women’s tournament, which is a standard eight-team tournament, the price includes all 12 games. Specific seats will then be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may be purchased at www.vanshowcase.com. The remaining teams in the field will be announced after the holidays.

UNLV beats Illinois 89-82 at MGM Grand in annual Coaches vs. Cancer game

LAS VEGAS — Last season UNLV didn’t get its eighth win until Dec. 31, two games into Mountain West Conference action.

Saturday night, the Runnin’ Rebels improved to 8-2 with three games left on their non-conference schedule.

Jovan Mooring shot 50 percent from the field and scored 27 points to lead UNLV to an 89-82 victory over Illinois at the MGM Grand Garden.

After squandering an 11-point lead and falling behind by three points with 10:25 left, the Runnin’ Rebels closed on a 33-23 run to seal the win.

St. John’s holds off Grand Canyon in BBVA Compass Valley of the Sun Shootout

PHOENIX — Shamorie Ponds scored 28 points for his sixth 20-plus game, Justin Simon had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and St. John’s held off Grand Canyon 68-60 on Tuesday night.

Ponds’ steal and breakaway dunk made it 58-43 with 5:52 left but Casey Benson‘s 3-point play pulled Grand Canyon within 62-55 at 1:52. The Antelopes made it 66-59 with 55.6 left and forced a turnover on the inbound pass, but missed two 3-pointers and a hook shot in the lane on one possession.

Simon sealed it with two free throws at 22.3 for a nine-point lead.

Arizona beats No. 7 Texas A&M in BBVA Compass Valley of the Sun Shootout

PHOENIX — Arizona faced one challenge on the road over the weekend and had an even bigger one on a neutral court.

The Wildcats pulled out tight wins against good teams in both, a sign that they may be back on track.

Deandre Ayton had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Arizona held on to beat No. 7 Texas A&M 67-64 on Tuesday night.

“I was happy we were able to embrace the challenge,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said. “I think this was our best defensive effort of the year.”

No. 6 Notre Dame tops No. 3 South Carolina for Gulf Coast Showcase women’s crown

ESTERO, Fla. — Jackie Young and Notre Dame sent a clear message Sunday night. The Irish are a force yet again.

Arike Ogunbowale scored 23 points, Young added 22 on her way to tournament MVP honors and No. 6 Notre Dame beat No. 3 South Carolina 92-85 on Sunday night to take the Gulf Coast Showcase championship and snap the defending national champion Gamecocks’ 17-game winning streak.

Marina Mabrey scored 12 points and Jessica Shepard had 10 for the Irish (6-0), who went on a staggering 37-12 run in one stretch and then had just enough to hang on in the final moments.

No. 9 Ohio States rallies to beat No. 14 Stanford in OT for Play4Kay Showcase title

LAS VEGAS — The first time No. 9 Ohio State met No. 14 Stanford, it wasn’t even close.

In the season-opener, it was the Buckeyes drubbing Stanford 85-64 on Nov. 10.

Though it prevailed, Ohio State didn’t have it as easy in round two against the Cardinal.

Kelsey Mitchell scored six of her game-high 37 points in overtime to lead Ohio State to a 94-82 victory over Stanford on Saturday night in the Play4Kay Shootout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

UNLV beats Utah 85-58 for MGM Resorts Main Event Heavyweight championship

LAS VEGAS — With 14 minutes to play in the Heavyweight bracket’s championship game of the MGM Grand Main Event on Wednesday night, UNLV’s Jovan Mooring drained a 3-point shot and teammate Jordan Johnsontook a lap around the court while pumping his fist, revving up the crowd at T Mobile Arena.

It’s the type of jubilation that was missing from Runnin’ Rebel basketball last season.

It’s the type of energy UNLV coach Marvin Menzies is glad to see.

Towson claims 2017 Gulf Coast Showcase men’s championship

ESTERO, Fla. – While hearts raced 1,000 miles per hour and palms persistently perspired during the frenzied final seconds of a sweetheart of a men’s basketball game between Towson and Georgia Southern, senior guard Deshaun Morman was as cool as a scoop of ice cream.

With the game lathered in sweat and suspense and fans nervously sitting on the edge of their seats, biting their nails and in some cases, covering their eyes, Morman was dancing to the tunes being played in the building as the Tigers prepared to make one final defensive stand while protecting a three-point lead with 1.8 seconds remaining.

Prairie View A&M upends Georgia State for MGM Resorts Main Event Middleweight belt

LAS VEGAS – Prairie View A&M men’s basketball won the ‘Battle Of The Panthers’, defeating Georgia State 71-56 in the Middleweight Bracket final of the MGM Resorts Main Events Tournament at T-Mobile Arena.

Gary Blackston posted his first double-double with game highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds along with four assists. Zachary Hamilton scored 17 points and added three assists, and Dennis Jones continued his solid play off the bench with 13 points.

Vermont beats NKU for The Islands of the Bahamas Showcase title

NASSAU, The Bahamas – For the second time in the tournament, UVM senior guard Trae Bell-Haynes scored the game-winning shot in the final seconds as the Catamounts won the inaugural Islands of the Bahamas Showcase with a 66-64 victory over Northern Kentucky on Sunday night. 

Vermont improves to 3-1 after capturing the tournament crown while Northern Kentucky suffers its first loss of the season at 4-1.

Anthony Lamb registered a double-double after matching his career-high with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Lamb shot 10-for-14 from the floor with three steals along with a pair of blocks and assists. Trae Bell-Haynes set a new season-high with 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting and dished out three assists. Payton Henson added nine points while Ernie Duncan followed with eight points for the Cats.

Northern Kentucky had three players reach double figures. Lavone Holland II notched a team-high 14 points and six rebounds. Carson Williams scored 12 points and Drew McDonald finished with 10 points and six boards.