Before a record TBT crowd of 13,000 at Freedom Hall, La Familia emerged victorious over The Ville 70-61 in The Basketball Tournament (TBT). The game showcased former Kentucky and Louisville stars in a closely contested battle.
Eric Bledsoe scored 9 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field, including a crucial 2-for-4 from the free-throw line. Nate Sestina had a breakout game, contributing 22 points with an impressive 6-of-14 from beyond the arc.
For The Ville, Russ Smith put up a valiant effort with 22 points, including 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Chinanu Onuaku added a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds.
La Familia’s superior shooting proved to be the difference-maker. They shot 41.9% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc, compared to The Ville’s 31.0% and 19.0% respectively. La Familia also controlled the boards, outrebounding The Ville 37-34.
The game saw its share of intensity, with technical fouls called on Andrew Harrison of La Familia and Chris Jones of The Ville.
Other notable performances for La Familia included Willie Cauley-Stein’s 20 points and 9 rebounds, and Kerem Kanter’s 8 points and 9 rebounds. For The Ville, David Johnson contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds, while Montrezl Harrell added 11 points and 4 rebounds.
This victory advances La Familia further in the tournament, keeping their hopes alive for the coveted TBT prize. The team’s balanced attack and efficient shooting showcased why they’ve become a formidable force in this year’s competition.
