The fierce rivalry between former University of Kentucky and University of Louisville basketball players was reignited Monday night at Freedom Hall, where La Familia secured a 70-61 victory over The Ville in the quarterfinals of The Basketball Tournament (TBT). This $1 million summer event saw the former Wildcats overcoming their old rivals in front of a record-breaking crowd.
Leading La Familia was Nate Sestina, who scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Willie Cauley-Stein contributed 20 points, nine rebounds, and four steals, while Andrew Harrison delivered clutch shots in the final moments. For The Ville, Russ Smith led with 22 points, and Chinanu Onuaku added 14 points and 22 rebounds. The matchup, labeled by FS1 announcer John Fanta as “the biggest game in the history” of TBT, attracted an audience of 13,506 fans, shattering the previous TBT attendance record. Among the spectators was TBT co-owner and NBA legend Chris Paul, who praised the electric atmosphere and the competition’s growth. Early struggles in shooting from both teams set the stage for La Familia to take a second-quarter lead, with Cauley-Stein’s three 3-pointers playing a significant role. They led 30-27 at halftime. Sestina’s exceptional performance in the third quarter, where he made five 3-pointers, extended La Familia’s lead to 53-34. Despite a fourth-quarter rally by The Ville, Andrew Harrison’s crucial shots helped La Familia maintain their lead. The Elam Ending, a unique TBT scoring rule that ensures games end on a made basket, was activated after Harrison’s three-pointer, securing the victory for La Familia.
