— by David Walsh
For all its memorable moments created in The Basketball Tournament, Herd That never had a chance at one Tuesday night.
A Marshall-alum squad with several newcomers, absorbed a beatdown at the hands of hot-shooting La Familia, 95-66, in TBT’s Lexington Regional title game in front of an enthusiastic home crowd on the renowned Rupp Arena floor.
Two days earlier, Herd That staged the greatest Elam Ending comeback in TBT history when it rallied from a 59-49 deficit to prevail, 63-49, by virtue of a closing 14-0 run. But an Elam Ending miracle was out of reach for Herd That this time. as No. 2 LaFamilia entered up 85-60, when the clocked stopped for this familiar finish and it hit two threes and a hoop for the points needed to hit the target score (93).
James Young sank the game-clinching three — his third of the night — from the left wing to end the contest. All but one player on the La Familia roster played college basketball for Kentucky (13-0 all-time against Marshall in college action). Young netted the other three as well after Kellan Grady started the Elam session with a jumper.
Reserve Stevie Browning had a three, Rondale Watson a free throw and Ryan Taylor a basket for Herd That’s points in the Elam phase.
Those UK vets still showed their range as La Familia drilled 14-of-28 treys to pull away and set up a Round-of-8 contest next Monday or Tuesday against the Louisville Regional winner. La Familia madee 5-of-6 threes in the third period.
The momentum changer came during that frame and was capped off by Andrew Harrison’s trey with 3:13 on the clock to finish off a 17-2 run for a 59-39 advantage.
Eric Bledsoe, a former NBA player and UK great, led the winning team with 24 points. Kerem Kanter, a former Xavier player and the lone member of the roster without UK ties, added 20 points and eight rebounds. The brother of former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom converted 12-of-15 free throws.
Twins Andrew and Aaron Harrison each scored 11 as did Nate Sestina.
Xavier Munford, another former Xavier player, led Herd That with 23 points. He made 7-of-11 shots, 4 threes and 5-of-5 free throws. JaCorey Williams, in foul trouble in the fourth quarter and Elam Ending, totaled 18. After that, the Herd That production dropped off as the La Familia bench had a 25-13 edge in points.
Jon Elmore, former Thundering Herd great who saw action in the NBA G League last season, did not score from the field. He missed eight shots and settled for three points, all at the free-throw line. He also got hit with a technical in the third period. Each team was assessed two technicals.
Herd That, which reached the national finals a year ago, is now 10-5 all-time in the $1 million winner-take-all event.