In a thrilling matchup between Herd That and Best Virginia in the round of 32 of TBT action, Herd That emerged victorious with a final score of 74 to 61. There was a great crowd at Wesbanco Arena, most of whom were rooting on Best Virginia. Led by the outstanding performances of James Kelly and Jon Elmore, Herd That displayed their prowess on the court and secured their spot in the round of 16 to take place at 2 pm on Saturday at Wesbanco Arena.
Before we get started on the game action, I would like to take time again to say how impressed I was with the players. As the players left the court during warm-ups and after the game fans were waiting for autographs and pictures. Not, one player turned down anyone for a request. These players were very involved with the fans again, smiling and enjoying the time spent with them.
They must have learned this from their coach Bob Huggins. Coach Huggins was again in attendance and accepted all requests for autographs and pictures. He also took some time to talk to some former players in attendance, such as Deuce McBride and Logan Routt.
Now, onto some game action. James Kelly and Jon Elmore, the dynamic duo of Herd That, each contributed 16 points to the team’s triumph. Kelly further demonstrated his impact on both ends of the floor, impressively pulling down 9 rebounds and registering a crucial block. Meanwhile, Elmore displayed his versatility by notching 6 rebounds and distributing an assist to his teammates.
Derek Cook, an essential player in Herd That’s lineup, managed an impressive double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, amplifying the team’s dominance in the paint. Rob Gray also played a vital role in the victory, contributing 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, highlighting his versatility as well.
Best Virginia controlled the game through 3 quarters but could not pull away. Herd That stayed withing striking distance the entire game. Every time it seemed Best Virginia was going to pull away, Herd That came up with some key defensive stops. They then turned them into key buckets on the offensive end.
Despite the best efforts of Herd That, Kevin Jones proved to be a force to be reckoned with, leading his team with an impressive stat line of 18 points and 13 rebounds. Jamel Morris and Erik Stevenson provided support with 13 points, 5 boards, and 3 assists, and 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, respectively. Nathan Adrian, a Morgantown product, showcased his all-around skills with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block.
The game lived up to its hype, with both teams putting on an exciting display of what the TBT is all about. Herd That went on a run in the 4th quarter to take a 10-point lead. Best Virginia had some opportunities during the Elam ending but could not get their shots to fall. In the end, Herd That’s cohesive team effort and standout performances from James Kelly and Jon Elmore paved the way for their advancement to the round of 16 in the TBT.
If you’re looking for some great entertainment at an affordable price, come to Wesbanco Arena on Saturday at 2 o’clock to watch Herd That take on Sideline Cancer, who gained the 60-51 victory over Challenge ALS, to see who keeps playing for the $1,000,000 prize.
Photo by Robert Ovies
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