CHARLESTON — Best Virginia’s 70-67 victory against WoCo Showtime on Saturday came with a key member sidelined on the bench.
Forward Sagaba Konate, the team’s best rim protector and one of its most athletic players, was in street clothes and did not play.
A source told The Dominion Post that a recent contract Konate signed with a professional team would not allow the forward to participate in the TBT.
It was late-developing news for Best Virginia. Konate was practicing with the team Friday, before Best Virginia traveled to Charleston, and had played in the team’s two exhibition games leading up to the tournament.
“I can’t comment on it,” Best Virginia head coach James Long said when asked about Konate’s absence.
Konate is WVU’s all-time record holder with 191 blocked shots.
In other TBT action from the Charleston Coliseum:
(3) Herd That 85, (14) Team DRC 76
Jon Elmore scored 21 points and Herd That finished with 48 points in the paint to pull away late.
During the Elam Ending, Team DRC had pulled to as close as 78-76, but a jumper from Stevie Browning and two free throws from Jacorey Williams helped Herd That go on a 7-0 run to close out the game.
Rondale Watson won the game with a follow-up dunk after Williams missed on a lay-up in transition.
“We had spurts where we were phenomenal and was stagnant a few times in other stretches,” Elmore said. “Ultimately in this thing, you just have to grind out wins. It’s survive and advance and I’m proud of our guys.”
Williams finished with 23 points and eight rebounds for Herd That and teammate Ronald Delph added 12 points in 14 minutes off the bench.
Kenny Brown led Team DRC — the team is sponsored by former NFL star Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — with 20 points.
(6) Team 23 91, (11) Georgia Kingz 64
Raphiael Putney led five players in double figures with 19 points and he added seven rebounds to lead Team 23 to a rout.
Putney, a former standout at UMass who played last season in the NBA G League, had plenty of help.
Team 23 went 11 of 29 from 3-point range and Walt Lemon Jr., Dakari Tucker and Eric Griffin each added 12 points.
Team 23 held a 19-0 advantage in second-chance points and won the battle on the boards, 43-29.
Team 23 advances to play Herd That in the second round at 7 p.m. Monday.
(7) D2 68, (10) Bleed Virginia 56
Shaun Willett scored 18 points to lead seventh-seeded D2 past Bleed Virginia.
D2’s Todd Withers added 16 points and nine rebounds.
Daniel James led Bleed Virginia with 20 points.
D2, comprised of past players who starred at the NCAA Division II level, advance to play Best Virginia at 9 p.m. Monday.
TWEET @bigjax3211
