KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a battle of in-state rivals, the Kansas alumni team JHX Hoops edged out Kansas State’s Purple Reign in dramatic fashion, 59-57, on Monday night in the second round of The Basketball Tournament at Municipal Auditorium.
With a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, former Jayhawk LaGerald Vick delivered the decisive blow, intercepting a crosscourt pass and racing coast-to-coast for the game-winning layup under TBT’s Elam Ending format.
“It just felt like the right opportunity,” Vick said after the win. “I was in the right position and ready to make a play. My team needed it, so it was big time.”
Purple Reign had multiple chances to seal the game, including an open layup and a pair of free throws by Shaun Williams. But the Wildcats alumni squad couldn’t convert, leaving the door open for Vick and JHX Hoops.
With the win, JHX advances to face top-seeded Heartfire in the Kansas City regional final Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed live on TBT’s YouTube channel.