King’s big effort leads Buffs to Paradise title

COLORADO 79, MERCER 70

LYNCHBURG, VA.» The players at Colorado and on seven other teams didn’t get the trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands they expected when they saw their schedules for the year.

The Paradise Jam, normally held in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, was moved to Liberty University’s Vines Center because of hurricane damage.

George King, however, made sure the Buffs still made the most of their trip to Virginia. He had 25 points and eight rebounds and Colorado stretched at halftime lead to double figures Sunday night on its way to a 79-70 victory over Mercer in the championship of the Paradise Jam.

“It was great. Obviously we weren’t able to play in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but we still had the same opportunity to come out here and win three games in three days and play at a high level,” King said.

Deleon Brown and Namon Wright each added 13 points for the Buffs (5-0). Colorado led 39-37 at halftime and shot 54 percent in the second 20 minutes, gradually extending its lead to as many as 13. The Buffs turned 14 turnovers by Mercer into 21 points and outscored them 23-12 from the free-throw line.

Buffs coach Tad Boyle was impressed by his players’ determination, especially on the defensive end.

“Our guys really dug in defensively in the second half and kept getting stops,” he said.