Carmen’s Crew stuns Overseas Elite, 71-66, to advance to TBT Finals

What. A. Game.

Now, Carmen’s Crew is just one win away from $2 million.

Going into Sunday’s game, Overseas Elite was previously a perfect 29-0 in The Basketball Tournament, taking home the first four championships of the tournament over the last four years. They were perfect until they ran into the buzzsaw that is Carmen’s Crew. Their dominant run is now over after Carmen’s Crew stunned Overseas Elite, 71-66. Saying that Carmen’s Crew isn’t a knock on the scarlet and gray. They are really, really good on both ends of the floor. It’s just that Overseas Elite’s dominance over the last four tournaments has been nothing short of sensational.

The team that is filled with plenty of Ohio State Buckeyes took control of the game early and kept their foot on the pedal, holding a lead for the majority of the game. Shooting 83 percent from the field in the first eight minutes of the game, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, Carmen’s Crew held a 17-9 lead early on thanks to a 7-0 run. They held a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

They held a healthy lead throughout much of the second quarter as well before Overseas Elite went on a quick 13-2 run to cut the lead to two. Carmen’s Crew then led 41-36 at halftime. They shot 15-of-33 (45.5%) from the field, including 7-of-16 (43.8%) from long distance in the first half.

Then, unlike in the first half, they never held a double-digit lead in the second half. In fact, heading into the Elam Ending, the game was tied at 63 after Overseas Elite took their first lead of the game with just under six minutes remaining.. Carmen’s Crew then went on an 8-3 run — including the first six points of the Elam Ending — to win the game, 71-66.

With 18 points, including 13 of Carmen’s Crew’s 17 points in the fourth quarter David Lighty led the team on offense and did an exceptional job on defense as well. William Buford (15 points), Jeff Gibbs (12) and Jon Diebler (10) also scored in double figures. Although he didn’t notch double figures, Evan Ravenel paced the team early, scoring seven of team’s first 14 points of the game.

As the saying goes, defense does in fact win championships. Just like he did during his illustrious four-year career as a Buckeye, Aaron Craft was outstanding defensively Sunday afternoon. With seven steals (the most of his TBT career), he carried the defense and stifled Jeremy Pargo throughout much of the game, making it damn near impossible for the point guard to do anything offensively.

Their fourth year in the tournament, this will be the first time Carmen’s Crew has made it to the championship. They will take on the winner of Team Hines and Golden Eagles Alumni Tuesday night. The championship game is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET for the TBT championship game.

Plays of the game for Carmen’s Crew:

Jon Diebler beats the 1st quarter buzzer from way downtown! #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/Lj8875L3o7

— TBT (@thetournament) August 4, 2019

Aaron Craft is UNBELIEVABLE!!! #TBTFAN | #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/VzPZ9lSio8

— TBT (@thetournament) August 4, 2019

Aaron Craft was EVERYWHERE for @CarmensCrew in the first half! This guy's hustle is next level.#MoneyMoment | #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/rM0WWCLQ1g

— TBT (@thetournament) August 4, 2019

DOWN GO THE CHAMPS!!!@CarmensCrew makes TBT history snapping Overseas Elite's 29-game win streak! #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/qHKLVwLSJL

— TBT (@thetournament) August 4, 2019

Courtside angle of the historic game-winner for @CarmensCrew!#TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/fmBK4aFpRo

— TBT (@thetournament) August 4, 2019