By Jayson Henderson

Kansas secured the 2024 Paradise Jam Island Division Championship with a 61-60 win over Auburn on Saturday. S’Mya Nichols led the Jayhawks with 28 points, including the game-winning free throws with 14.5 seconds remaining. Nichols was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, averaging 24.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals across three games.

Elle Evans contributed eight points in the championship game and earned a spot on the all-tournament team, averaging 14.7 points and leading the team with nine three-pointers during the event.

Kansas trailed 60-54 with under a minute to play before closing on a 7-0 run. Laia Conesa started the rally with two free throws, followed by a steal from Sania Copeland that led to a three-pointer from Nichols. After Auburn missed two free throws, Nichols drew a foul and made both shots from the line to give Kansas the lead. The Jayhawks secured the win with a defensive stop on Auburn’s final possession.

Conesa added 11 points, while Regan Williams grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. Kansas improved to 7-1 on the season, marking its first-ever Paradise Jam Championship, while Auburn fell to 5-3.

Kansas opened the game with an 8-0 run before Auburn responded with a 17-2 stretch to lead 19-12 after the first quarter. Auburn maintained a double-digit advantage for much of the first half, taking a 40-28 lead into halftime.

The Jayhawks cut the deficit with a 12-2 run to start the third quarter and tied the game at 44-44 before taking a 48-47 lead heading into the fourth. The final period saw both teams exchange leads before Nichols’ clutch free throws sealed the victory.

Kansas returns to action on December 5, hosting Wichita State at Allen Fieldhouse.