— By David Walsh
Herd That played from behind for most of the game.
When it came to crunch time, though, Herd That found the right gear and overcame a 10-point deficit to defeat War Ready, 63-59, Sunday in the first Round of 32 game in The Basketball Tournament’s Lexington Regional at Rupp Arena.
Tyrus McGee would drill a three to cap Herd That’s stirring comeback.
Herd That, made up with several Marshall greats, led 47-43 heading into the final period. DeAndre Kane’s hoop at the buzzer made it a four-point game.
Then the No. 1 seed lost its shooting touch and No. 4 seed War Ready outscored Herd That 12-2 to take a 55-49 lead going into the Elam Ending, which adds eight points to the leading team’s total as a required score to win starting at the first whistle with 4 or fewer minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Toarlyn Fitzpatrick hit a two and Wendell Green added a bucket for a 59-49 cushion, leaving War Ready four points from victory.
However, Herd That regained its moxy at that point and outscored the Auburn alums 14-0 the rest of the way to get the win and a shot at the Lexington Regional crown. Herd That will next play at 9 p.m. Tuesday against Kentucky’s alumni-based team La Familia, which defeated The Nawf later Sunday, 81-64.
JaCorey Williams started the Herd That comeback with a basket to get within 59-51. The lid stayed on the basket for War Ready and McGee connected from three to cut the margin to five. JP Tokoto then hit a layup to make it 59-56 and War Ready called timeout.
McGee responded with a basket to cut the margin to one and Williams, after another timeout, drilled a jumper to put Herd That up 60-59.
War Ready would then miss two more shots to extend its drought and that set the stage for McGee to nail a decisive 3 off an assist to Kane, leaving War Ready players in disbelief.
INSANE HERD THAT SEQUENCE LEADS TO THE ELAM ENDER!
Deandre Kane gets a steal on the 2 on 1 fastbreak and the ball finds Tyrus McGee who nails the 3 for the WIN!
WHAT A GAME! pic.twitter.com/HCLuXoPhHf
— TBT (@thetournament) July 21, 2024
The Elam output ended 14-4 in Herd That’s favor. After charging the floor to celebrate, Herd That players headed to the big board courtside to advance its team in the bracket.
After leading 59-49, War Ready missed three shots and had five turnovers.
Herd That didn’t match the shooting it displayed in beating Jackson TN Boom in its first game 92-57.
On Sunday, Herd That hit 22-of-59 shots, eight threes and made 11-of-18 free throws. Williams led the way with 13 points and McGee 11. Jon Elmore and Kane hit for nine points each. Williams currently plays overseas.
Green led War Ready with 19 points and Fitzpatrick hit for 13. War Ready made 22-of-57 shots, five threes and 10-of-14 foul shots.
Herd That trailed 29-27 at the half when Noan Horchler made a jumper in the lane just before the horn sounded to excite the War Ready backers.
War Ready had defeated No. 5 D2 Waymakers, 80-73, in comeback fashion in its first game Friday.
This is the 10th anniversary of the tournament. Herd That’s all-time record is 10-4.