KANSAS CITY, Mo – The KU alumni squad, JHX Hoops, defeating the K-State alumni team, Purple Reign, in the TBT second round Mon., July 21, winning 59-57 after a thrilling final three minutes of action.
The game was close all throughout, but once the Elam Ending benchmark was set to 58, the excitement exploded. JHX Hoops, the No. 2 seed in the Kansas City Region, trailed 40-34 with roughly three minutes remaining in the third quarter. The former Jayhawks then went on a 10-0 run, including taking a 43-40 lead into the 4th quarter. After a Tyshaun Taylor layup made the score 48-45, Shaun Martin of Purple Reign, the region’s No. 3 seed, tied it with a three. Moments later, a layup by David McCormack made the score 50-48, setting the Elam Ending score at 58.
Momentum found the way of the Wildcats’ alumni squad after Cartier Diarra gave the Purple Reign the lead 55-53 after a three-pointer. After a few rough offensive possessions by JHX Hoops, the former Cats took a four point lead with two Austin Trice free throws, putting them just one point away from a victory. Free throws brought the former Hawks back, made by McCormack and Zeke Mayo. Moments later, Taylor would hit a tough layup, tying the game at 57. The next point won the game.
JHX Hoops had the ball looking to win, but a Mayo turnover brought a fastbreak opportunity for Purple Reign. Shaun Williams drove towards the bucket, missing the shot but while fouled by Billy Preston. Williams went to the free throw line for the first time in the game, looking to win by just making one. He ended up missing both free throws, but McCormack tipped the ball out of bounds to give possession back to Purple Reign. The team inbounded the ball, but four seconds later, Trice threw a bad pass that was taken away by LaGerald Vick, who ended up going coast-to-coast, making a contact layup to give JHX Hoops the exciting 59-57 win. The layup happened to be Vick’s only points of the game.
Mayo was the only former Jayhawk in double-figures, finishing with 14 points despite shooting 3-10 overall. He did finish a perfect 7-7 at the free throw line. Tyshaun Taylor, Marcus Bell, and David McCormack had nine points apiece, the latter of whom finished with 10 rebounds.
Purple Reign’s leading scorer was actually former Jayhawk Cam Martin with 14 points. Williams and Diarra had 11 points each, but Diarra fouled out late in the game. Martin had nine points, but 11 rebounds.
The quest for $1 million continues for JHX Hoops as they head to the regional championship in Kansas City Wed., July 23, where they will host No. 1 Heartfire at 6:00 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium. The winner will move on to Indianapolis for the tournament quarterfinal Mon., July 28.
