Wild Finish Lifts La Familia to Second Win in The Basketball Tournament
It was chaos, drama, and pure basketball magic at Rupp Arena on Sunday night as La Familia pulled off a heart-pounding 76-74 win over War Ready in their second game of The Basketball Tournament (TBT). The Lexington crowd witnessed a finish for the ages, capped by a game-winning shot from none other than former Kentucky Wildcat Archie Goodwin.
With the Elam Ending target score looming, both teams traded blows in a tense final stretch. La Familia had led for much of the second half, but War Ready — made up largely of Auburn alumni — surged back in the closing minutes behind a flurry of buckets from Bryce Brown and T.J. Dunans. The pressure mounted with every possession, and it was clear this one would come down to a last heroic play.
That hero turned out to be Goodwin.
With the game tied at 74 and the Elam target score set at 76, Goodwin took matters into his own hands. He drove aggressively into the lane, split two defenders, and finished at the rim to send La Familia to the Lexington Regional championship game. The crowd erupted as teammates mobbed him near half court, while War Ready could only watch in disbelief.
“What a moment,” said Goodwin after the game. “I grew up dreaming of plays like that. To do it here, in front of Kentucky fans, with this team… it means everything.”
Goodwin led all scorers with 19 points, while Brandon Knight chipped in with 14 and Marcus Lee added 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Aaron Harrison also contributed timely defense and a key steal late in the fourth quarter.
The game had all the intensity TBT is known for — physical play, big shots, and edge-of-your-seat tension. La Familia started strong with a fast-paced offense and early defensive stops, but War Ready responded with grit and clutch shooting. The teams were neck-and-neck as the Elam Ending began, each possession magnified by the winner-take-all pressure.
Credit goes to War Ready for an outstanding performance. Brown scored 17, Dunans added 15, and the team’s high-energy defense nearly disrupted La Familia’s rhythm in the second half. They came up just short, but pushed one of TBT’s most watched teams to the brink.
La Familia, made up of Kentucky alumni and players with ties to the program, now advances to the Lexington Regional championship, where they’ll face Eberlein Drive — one of the tournament’s most experienced and successful squads. The game is set for Tuesday night and promises another electric atmosphere.
For now, La Familia can savor this win, born from clutch plays, composure under fire, and a game-winner that Kentucky fans won’t soon forget. From Goodwin’s dagger to the team’s gritty effort, it was a night of drama and heart that captured everything great about TBT.