TBT side JHX Hoops falls out of the 2025 TBT in thrilling loss to Heartfire

Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormack (33) reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormack (33) reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Wednesday night marked the ending of what was a fun 2025 TBT for the JHX Hoops.

The team led by Sherron Collins was en route to what would have been a second-straight come-from-behind win, but late-game turnovers spoiled the comeback efforts in the 71-68 loss.

The first quarter saw both sides struggle to score: The combined score in the nine-minute section was just 24. Heartfire managed just five of their first 14 buckets to the Hoops, who saw five of their 16 attempts fall from the hoop.

With just over two minutes to go, JHX was down by six in what was an 11-5 deficit, but thanks to a 6-2 run, JHX was back within reach by the time the first period was wrapped up.

Both teams saw much improved shooting splits as Hoops notched 18 points off of 50% splits, while Heartfire marked a fellow massive increase as 20 points were scored off of 45% shooting.

The newly-healthy David McCormack, who was quieted during his narrow two first-quarter minutes, saw the floor for the whole entire second where he tallied nine points and two steals, which helped neutralize his two turnovers.

McCormack was followed by Kelvin Amayo and Billy Preston, who pitched in five and four points, respectively.

While heading into the half down 33-29, JHX Hoops had the momentum after coming back down from eight at one point, being down 21-13 with a little over seven minutes to go.

6:46 in the third quarter began what was a steady lead for JHX at 37-36, which saw JHX climb to a 55-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter. That second-half surge was spurred by an all-around contribution of seven different Hoops players scoring as the team combined for 26 third-quarter points, the most of any quarter by either squad.

When the ELAM score was dictated to be 71, Heartfire held a 63-62 lead off the back of a fourth-quarter swing, which saw Heartfire's Marcus Hall total a lights-out performance with eight points on perfect 3-3 shooting.

The nearly two and a half minute ELAM period saw the score fluctuate nonstop.

At first, Heartfire was out to a 66-62 lead, thanks to a Tevin Mack three-pointer. After a Jacob Hanna one-point free throw and a Preston fadeaway two, Heartfire led by just one at 66-65.

Hall's sloppy giveaway led to Lagerald Vick picking the ball up on the left corner before firing a pass to Zeke Mayo, who was wide open on a transition three, which pushed JHX up to a 68-66 lead.

"Let's go, Jayhawks," chants ran through the Nashville Municipal Auditorium as the Jayhawk alum could taste victory.

However, that momentum was short-lived as a jaw-dropping Eric Washington and-one layup pushed Heartfire back into a 69-68 lead over JHX.

While facing a Heartfire press, Preston was tightly guarded across the court and only a screen from David McCormack opened enough room for Preston to squeeze the ball to the cutting McCormack, who performed a behind-the-back pass to Mayo, who was in the same exact position his earlier three was nailed from.

Mayo was swarmed but found McCormack right under the hoop, but the former Jayhawk star was caught looking too far ahead and lost the ball out of bounds, giving Heartfire the ball with a chance to win.

Look away, Kansas fans. After a timeout was taken by Heartfire, they planned for what was the eventual game-winning basket, thanks to an Eric Washington mid-range shot that swapped the net and moved Heartfire into the semifinal.

The biggest differentiator was the turnover margin. Collins' squad combined for 16 turnovers compared to Heartfire's 11. While neither's numbers are great, there were a number of back-breaking giveaways which pushed Heartfire over the line.

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