A surprising upset unfolded at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington on Saturday, where La Familia, a squad of Kentucky basketball alumni, edged out their rivals The Ville, a team of Louisville alumni, 72-68 in the opening round of The Basketball Tournament.
The game looked to be slipping away as La Familia squandered a 17‑point lead in the second half, but the momentum shifted in the final minutes, culminating in an uncontested dunk by Darryl Morsell that sealed the victory under the Elam Ending rule.
The Clutch Finish
Morsell finished as the game’s top scorer with 17 points, while teammates Andrew Harrison, Sean McNeil and James Mainor‑Bell all contributed double‑digit numbers, giving the alumni side a balanced offensive attack.
The Ville answered with strong performances from Chris Jones, Montrezl Harrell and David Johnson, each reaching double figures, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the late rally.
La Familia’s coaching staff, led by head coach Jon Hood and general manager Twany Beckham, watched the contest from the bench, where Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe sat just behind the La Familia bench, underscoring the event’s significance for the broader basketball community.
The victory sets up a best‑of‑three series against The Ville, with the next showdown scheduled for Monday night at Freedom Hall in Louisville; the winner will advance to the quarterfinals and pursue a $2 million prize.
La Familia’s run in 2024 marked their first year in the tournament, during which they reached the semifinals, and this latest win adds to a growing narrative of alumni teams competing fiercely on a national stage.