La Familia’s memorable run ends in The Basketball Tournament semifinals vs Carmen’s Crew

La Familia found little to like in the “City of Brotherly Love” on Friday night.

The Kentucky alumni team’s run in The Basketball Tournament came to a close at the hands of Carmen’s Crew in Friday’s semifinals, losing 76-70 at Daskalakis Athletic Center in Philadelphia.

Former Buckeyes superstar Jared Sullinger and Desonta Bradford led Carmen’s Crew — a squad of Ohio State alumni — to the victory, as the pair combined for 31 points. Sullinger had 16 points, while Bradford ended with 15. Jamel Morris, who contributed 11 points, hit the game-capping 3 after the Elam Ending started.

La Familia bowed out of the tournament despite having four players post double-digit scoring performances, led by Kerem Kanter’s game-high 17. Willie-Cauley Stein and Andrew Harrison had 14 apiece, followed by Eric Bledsoe (11). Cauley-Stein also grabbed nine rebounds, the top total in Friday’s game.

The difference in the contest was perimeter shooting. Half of the field-goal makes for Carmen’s Crew came from beyond the 3-point arc; it knocked down 28 shots, with 14 from distance. La Familia, on the other hand, shot 26.3% (5 for 19) behind the 3-point line.

That’s where Nate Sestina’s absence Friday was most conspicuous.

Sestina, La Familia’s sharpshooter from deep, entered Friday with 15 triples made in four TBT outings, tied for most among all players (Takeover BC’s AJ English and Happy Valley Hoopers’ Greg Lee). But Sestina missed Friday’s matchup because of “a previously scheduled family obligation,” per a team announcement Thursday afternoon.

Without him, La Familia simply didn’t have enough to keep up with Carmen’s Crew. The group of former Wildcats trailed for most of the contest. Their last lead came at the 2:08 mark of the first quarter, when they held a two-point advantage (10-8). They played catch-up the rest of the way, heading into halftime down 40-27. Carmen’s Crew stretched the lead to as many as 16 (45-29) before La Familia stormed back, drawing within two on two separate occasions during the Elam Ending before Morris’ walk-off 3.

With the win, Carmen’s Crew clinched a spot in Sunday’s championship game against Forever Coogs, which held off Eberlein Drive, 76-73, in Friday’s first semifinal.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.