Defense had carried the day for Best Virginia through four rounds of The Basketball Tournament. A fifth round proved a bridge too far against Eberlein Drive.
The tournament’s most veteran squad gradually wore down Best Virginia’s prized defense, controlling the boards and getting timely shots from Gabe York. York scored 23 points and Eberlein Drive ultimately pulled away in the Elam Ending for an 85-77 win over Best Virginia in the Basketball Tournament semifinals at the Charleston Coliseum.
Eberlein Drive reached the $1 million championship game for the second time in the tournament’s 11-year history. It will face Aftershocks on Sunday in the championship game.
Read More: Best Virginia Falls to Eberlein Drive
For most of the game up to the Elam Ending, neither team could get much of a cushion. Best Virginia closed out the first half with a three-point edge, and neither could go ahead by more than six points heading to the Elam Ending.
The difference was, this time, Best Virginia was up against an opponent that could control the glass. The Best Virginia defense proved true to form in holding Terry Taylor to 5-for-16 from the floor, but Eberlein Drive kept extending possessions with offensive boards.
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Eberlein Drive grabbed 19 offensive rebounds for the game, compared to 22 rebounds total for Best Virginia. Just as important, Eberlein Drive got the strong bench play that Best Virginia had mostly denied up until this point.
Anthony Slaughter, Pedro Bradshaw and Tommy Rutherford combined to shoot 10-for-15 for the game, spoiling Best Virginia’s strong efforts on the starters. When Best Virginia didn’t give up an offensive rebound, it usually allowed a trip to the foul line. Eberlein Drive shot 18-for-21 from the foul line, compared to just 5-for-9 for Best Virginia.
Missed Opportunities Haunt Best Virginia
Best Virginia stayed close up until the Elam Ending, which triggered with Eberlein Drive holding a 77-75 lead. But that was where Best Virginia went cold. Best Virginia went just 1-for-4 from the field in the Elam Ending and missed both free throw attempts, along with one turnover.
Meanwhile, Gabe York went to work for Eberlein Drive. After controlling him for most of the contest, Best Virginia lost York multiple times in the Elam Ending. York scored all eight points for Eberlein Drive in the Elam Ending, including back-to-back 3-pointers to end the game.
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James Reese V again led Best Virginia’s scorers with 15 points, but this game marked a much more balanced effort for the Blue and Gold. Toby Okani added 14 points off the bench, and the bench combined for 35 points overall. Okani and Isaiah Sanders combined to shoot 5-for-6 from behind the arc, and Best Virginia’s 36% from 3-point range dwarfed the 21% that Eberlein Drive normally held opponents to from long range.
Jarrod West led Best Virginia with eight assists, but only one came in the final quarter. Otherwise, Best Virginia tried to create its own shots against the Eberlein Drive defense, finding little success.
Best Virginia exited the tournament at the semifinal stage for its deepest run in its history in the event. Based on past performances, Best Virginia would have a strong chance at a high seed in next year’s tournament.
Good job guys. You gave your all.