Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Best Virginia secured a historic 74-61 victory over Shell Shock on Monday night, advancing to the semifinals of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) for the first time in program history
From the opening tip, the West Virginia alumni team established control and never trailed
James Reese V led Best Virginia with 24 points. He is the only player to score 20 points in all four contests.
Tobi Okani had 10 points and six rebounds. Jarrod West tallied nine points and Tre Mitchell added seven.
Best Virginia’s defense set the tone early, forcing poor shot selections and building a 19-9 lead after the first quarter. By halftime, they held a 32-24 advantage.
Early in the third, Shell Shock pulled within six before Best Virginia went on a 9-0 run and pushed its lead to 41-26 on a 3-pointer from West and baskets from Kedrian Johnson, Reese and Mitchell.
However, Shell Shock outscored Best Virginia 17-6 over the remainder of the third and trailed 47-43 after Kyle Cardaci hit a triple.
Early in the fourth, Shell Shock used a 6-0 spurt to pull within two. Reese answered with a clutch triple, but Darryl Morsell’s basket kept it close. Mitchell and Johnson responded with critical scores to give Best Virginia breathing room.
With less than a minute to go until the Elam Ending, Shell Shock committed a pair of detrimental turnovers and Best Virginia answered with a three-point play by Okani and Reese made an and-one to push the lead to 65-54.
Shell Shock opened the Elam Ending with a trey from Andre Fox.
Cardaci’s turnover led to a West jumper. Reese then found Johnson in transition for a layup to push the lead to double digits. Okani added a bucket, and JD Weatherspoon sealed the win with the Elam Ender.
Okani added a basket and JD Weatherspoon scored the Elam Ender.
Best Virginia will face Eberlein Drive on Thursday in Charleston at 6 p.m. The game will air on FS1.
Photo Credit: TBT
