It was the Nick Townsend show Sunday evening at the Paradise Jam Tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The senior forward posted a career-high 32 points plus eight rebounds to lead Yale into the tournament final with a decisive 74-63 win over the College of Charleston.
“They let him (Townsend) go one on one, and he took advantage of it,” coach James Jones said.
The Bulldogs (5-1) scored early and often to take a 41-33 halftime lead, fueled by 7-for-16 shooting from long range.
The talented Cougars (3-4), picked third in the Coastal Athletic Association, tried to control tempo from the jump, but the Yale defense would not let them get out and run.
Yale opened up a 55-37 lead on a Townsend three and 5-for-6 team second-half shooting. It was cut to 58-49 on a Charleston 9-0 run with Townsend on the bench.
First-year center Jack Sullivan, an inside and outside threat, had a breakout game off the bench with eight points on 3-for-7 shooting in 15 minutes.
Sophomore forward Isaac Celiscar was the only other Bulldog in double figures with 12 points.
Jones continues to experiment with lineups, playing nine players 12 minutes or more.
The Cougars were led in scoring by redshirt sophomore center Chol Machot with 15.
After a brief KenPom slide after the Rhode Island and Green Bay games, Yale improved to No. 83.
On Friday night in the tourney opener, Yale defeated Green Bay (1-4), 73-67. Townsend paced Yale with 13 points and five rebounds. Junior forward Casey Simmons and sophomore guard Riley Fox each had 11.
“I thought we were just good enough to win,” said Jones.
Yale will face the winner of Akron and Evansville in the championship tilt Monday at 9 p.m.