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August 7, 2019For the first four years of The Basketball Tournament, Overseas Elite dominated, winning four straight titles. That was before they ran into Carmen’s Crew, a team filled with plenty of former Ohio State Buckeyes. After the scarlet and gray took down Overseas Elite in the semifinals, Carmen’s Crew kept the momentum going, beating the Golden Eagles — a team filled with former Marquette players — by the score of 66-60 to win The Basketball Tournament championship.
Now, Carmen’s Crew is $2 million richer.
Tuesday night’s game was intense, to say the least. I mean, that was expected given that the winning team walks away with $2 million and the loser ends up empty-handed. The players are not only super competitive but when money is on the line like that, the nervousness and the want to win becomes much, much bigger. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been nervous while watching a basketball game like that for quite some time.
The first half featured Carmen’s Crew taking an early 16-8 lead after one quarter. Then, the Golden Eagles’ offense heated up quite a bit, allowing them to lead at halftime, 31-29. The second half remained close, with the two teams essentially never leading by more than a bucket. Then the Elam Ending happened, and Carmen’s Crew dominated that period once again.
Like they did throughout much of the tournament, William Buford (17 points, two rebounds, three assists) and David Lighty (14, seven, four) were two players Carmen’s Crew could lean on offensively, with the game ending with Buford making two free throws to seal the victory. Jeff Gibbs (11 points) and Jon Diebler (11) also scored in double figures for the scarlet and gray. Diebler, one of the team’s best shooters, suffered a hand injury late in the first half. He returned to the game following halftime but admitted that he will likely need X-rays following the game. Aaron Craft may not have scored in double digits, but he did everything, including guarding the team’s best guard every possession. Craft finished the game with seven points, five rebounds, and four assists.
While the offense was consistent, shooting 47% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc, Carmen’s Crew leaned on their defense, just like they did throughout the entire tournament. In the first quarter, they held the Golden Eagles to just eight points, forcing them to shoot just 30% from the field and 14% from long distance. The Golden Eagles heated up in the second quarter, notching 23 points, but as the game went on, Carmen’s Crew’s defense got tighter and tighter. The Golden Eagles scored just 29 points in the second half, including only 12 in the fourth quarter.
Ohio State came close, but they never managed to win an NCAA title during Thad Matta’s 13-year tenure leading the Buckeyes. Although it’s not the same, a collection of former players that were played for the scarlet and gray during the Matta era finally get their championship together.
Man, that was fun. Congrats on winning all that money, Carmen’s Crew. You deserve it!
Best moments and plays of the game:
The Diebler steal & score puts @CarmensCrew just TWO points away from $2 million!!!#TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/Bjoy8HGqRM
— TBT (@thetournament) August 7, 2019
IT'S OVER!!!
William Buford sinks two from the line and @CarmensCrew are your #TBT2019 CHAMPIONS!! pic.twitter.com/eDIMkPmqhK
— TBT (@thetournament) August 7, 2019
What a moment! @CarmensCrew heads to the big board to #UpdateTheBracket and accept the #TBT2019 trophy! pic.twitter.com/f1DCqbWHPc
— TBT (@thetournament) August 7, 2019
What a moment! @CarmensCrew heads to the big board to #UpdateTheBracket and accept the #TBT2019 trophy! pic.twitter.com/f1DCqbWHPc
— TBT (@thetournament) August 7, 2019
"As intense a game as you'd ever want to see"
Thank you @CarmensCrew and @GoldenEaglesTBT for an UNFORGETTABLE Championship game!#TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/emKK43w61b
— TBT (@thetournament) August 7, 2019