LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Going through Sideline Most cancers within the second spherical of The Basketball Event, survive and advance was the secret for The Ville, popping out on high with an exhilarating 71-69 victory Monday evening at Freedom Corridor.
Getting into the Elam Ending with a 63-59 lead, Sideline Most cancers – the third seed within the Louisville Regional – scored the interval’s first eight factors, and 10 of the primary 12 to place second-seeded the Ville getting ready to elimination.
Nevertheless, needing only one basket, Sideline Most cancers missed their closing three pictures of the evening, permitting The Ville to fireside off six straight factors to return from behind and safe the win. Chris Jones made a tough layup, David Johnson hit a midrange jumper, then Montrezl Harrell hit a pair of game-winning free throws.
With the win, the UofL males’s basketball alumni crew advances to the Spherical of 16 and regional championship. They will tackle the winner of Staff Fredette/Staff DRC, with tip-off is ready for Wednesday, Jul. 24 at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Johnson led all scorers with 18 factors, whereas former All-American Russ Smith had 16 factors and Jones added 13 factors. Harrell got here inside placing distance of a double-double with eight factors and eight boards. Sideline Most cancers had 4 gamers rating in double figures, led by 15 from Jermaine Marrow.
The win got here despite a chilly taking pictures evening from The Ville. They shot simply 40.3 % from the sector, went 6-of-24 on three-pointers and 11-of-18 on the free throw line.
For The Ville, victory got here primarily as a consequence of their defensive efficiency. They compelled 15 turnovers, had 10 steals, and picked up three blocks. Whereas Sideline Most cancers shot 45.0 % general, they have been additionally held to 4-of-23 taking pictures efficiency from lengthy vary.
The Ville had a disjointed begin out of the gates on each ends of the courtroom, unable to discover a rhythm each with their pictures and their ball motion, and on the mercy of some sizzling early taking pictures from Sideline Most cancers. Within the first quarter, they related on simply 5 of their 15 shot makes an attempt, dedicated as many assists as they did turnovers, and allowed their opponent to shoot 7-of-15 within the opening quarter.
Whereas The Ville’s protection nonetheless left some to be desired within the second quarter permitting Sideline Most cancers to once more go 7-of-15 right here, they caught hearth offensively. Within the first four-plus minutes of the interval, they related on eight of their 12 pictures, and have been 10 of 18 within the second quarter general. Smith poured in 12 factors on this interval alone, serving to The Ville go from down 4 coming into the second to up 25-19 at halftime.
Popping out of the locker room, not solely did each groups flip up the defensive strain, exhaustion – and offensive execution began to settle in as effectively. The Ville was simply 9-of-24 from the sector within the second half and 2-of-10 on three-point makes an attempt, whereas Sideline Most cancers was 8-of-22 general and 0-8 from downtown.
(Picture of Montrezl Harrell: Jared Anderson – Louisville Report)
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