CHARLESTON — For an up-and-coming real estate agent, John Flowers has got some game.
For a guy who was known more for his defense in college, Flowers proved he’s got one heck of a 3-point shot, too.
Flowers, a 31.9% career 3-point shooter while at WVU who sells real estate in Morgantown when he’s not playing professionally, went 5 of 6 from deep Tuesday night inside the Charleston Coliseum to lead Best Virginia to an 89-79 victory against Herd That in the second round of The Basketball Tournament (TBT).
“When I first started in college, I was playing behind a lot of great players, some who went on to the NBA, so there was really no need for me to shoot,” said Flowers, who finished with 17 points and five rebounds. “Billy Hahn (former WVU assistant) really worked with me on changing my shot later in college and that had a big effect on me.
“I kept working on it professionally. If you can’t make shots overseas, they send you home. It’s something I’ve developed over time through a lot of hard work.”
Best Virginia moves on to the final 16 of the winner-take-all $1 million tournament for a second straight season. This time, it came at the expense of an in-state rival.
Herd That is the alumni team representing Marshall University, and a crowd of 4,547 — the second highest total in any TBT game this season — was in it until the end.
“They have a really great team, but this has a different feel than it did back in college,” said Kevin Jones, who had 17 points and five rebounds. “These guys now are like brothers to us. I know most of them personally. I really didn’t know any Marshall guys when I was playing. The fans got into it, which that part hasn’t changed since college. I know the fans were saying stuff back and forth the whole game.”
Best Virginia advances to the championship game of the West Virginia Regional at 7 p.m. today. The Bucketneers defeated War Ready 83-80 in the other semifinals.
Best Virginia took control of the game in the second quarter and that’s when Flowers began his shooting display with three 3-pointers in a row, each time sticking his tongue out.
“You’ve never seen me do that?” Flowers asked afterward. “You’ve never seen me hit three in a row, either.”
And once Best Virginia got rolling, Herd That simply fell apart.
Herd That’s bench was whistled for two technical fouls just 42 seconds apart in the third quarter, as Best Virginia’s physicality on defense clearly was taking its toll.
By the time the second tech was called with 1:53 remaining, Best Virginia’s lead had grown to 65-48.
That defensive physicality also made a difference against Herd That’s shooters. Jon Elmore began the game with an open 3-pointer, but by the end, his frustrating night saw him finish 5 of 16 from the floor.
He did hit a couple of threes late to finish with 16 points, but Herd That was just 7 of 33 from 3-point range.
The only drama in the second half came during the Elam Ending.
Best Virginia set the target score at 88 when it held an 80-61 lead with just under four minutes remaining. During that time, Herd That went on an 18-9 run, but it was well too late.
Jamel Morris finally hit a 16-foot jumper to end the game.
Morris finished with 15 points and Jermaine Haley also had 17, as four Best Virginia players finished in double figures.
None more surprising than Flowers, well, at least if you go by his college days.
“I really didn’t know how good John was,” Best Virginia head coach James Long said. “Even during last year, I can’t put the words to it, but he’s one of the best players in TBT.”
Bucketneers 83, War Ready 80
Bo Hodges’ tip-in provided the winning score, as the second-seeded Bucketneers survived a furious rally from War Ready.
The Bucketneers, an alumni team from East Tennessee State, held a 65-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but War Ready — an Auburn alumni team —got as close as 81-80 heading into the final possession.
With the Elam Ending score set at the first to 83, Bucketneers guard Isaac Banks missed on a drive to the basket, but Hodges was there for the tip and the winning score.
Jalen Riley led the Bucketneers with 14 points, while Desonta Bradford, T.J. Cromer and Jordan Bowden each added 13 points.
Antonio Hester led War Ready with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
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