During the first half of Best Virginia’s opening round game against Virginia Dream, the scoreboard reflected a much closer game than how it finished. Best Virginia led by only three points after the first quarter, and led by five points at the end of the first half.
Carrying a 33-28 lead into the second half, the Mountaineer alumni team turned up the intensity to go on a 12-0 run out of the break. Leading 45-28, Best Virginia had breathing room, but would not let up. After a layup stopped the bleeding for Virginia Dream, they would manage to score only four more points in the quarter, with Best Virginia taking a 58-34 lead into the fourth quarter.
For those fans who are unfamiliar with TBT, the fourth quarter is anything but traditional. In the fourth quarter, at the first dead ball with under four minutes to play, there is a target score you have to hit.
With Best Virginia leading 67-41, and the target score being 75, things were pretty locked up for Best Virginia.
Out of a timeout, John Flowers hit a three-pointer, pushing Best Virginia to 70. Juwan Staten then put Best Virginia at 72, before a Kevin Jones layup, put Best Virginia on the brink. Staten would then get fouled and head to the free throw line, sinking the free throw and giving Best Virginia a 75-45 first round win.
Kevin Jones leads the way
Kevin Jones, who just got elected into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame over the weekend, had a big day. Jones finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, shooting 6-for-15 from the field and 2-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Defense, Defense, Defense
Best Virginia forced 14 turnovers, and scored 20 points off of those turnovers. Best Virginia’s defense allowed only one player on Virginia Dream to reach double figures, and held them to just 26.1% shooting, and Virginia Dream went just 4-for-28 from beyond the arc.
What’s Next for Best Virginia
Next for Best Virginia, is an in-state bout with Herd That — Marshall’s alumni team. Herd That beat Founding Fathers 77-71, while shooting 16-for-31 from the free throw line, but made up for it by making nine three-pointers.
Photo by Ben Solomon, TBT
