Nasty Nati loses 68-66 in the opening round of the basketball tournament

CINCINNATI — One and ready for Nasty Nati.

The player-starved team played most of the opening game of the basketball tournament against a player-starved AboutBillions team, but ultimately lost 68-66.

Jarron Cumberland (16 points, 4-21 from the field) was a shadow of his former self after averaging over 20 points per game in the 2023 TBT. Meanwhile, fellow UC alumnus Trevor Moore (23 points, 8-13 shooting) was efficient enough to surprise his team in a sloppy contest.

Nasty Nati entered the game with just six players and got Troy Caupain early in the first half, but the hotter minds won out after that. Forward Mamoudou Diarra (7 points, 3-4 from the field) threw a punch during a first-half brawl that got him ejected, along with the entire AboutBillions bench.

The field was then down to six players apiece, but Nati couldn’t find any offensive rhythm during a 22-60 night from the field. Octavius ​​Ellis and Deshaun Morman killed them all night on both ends with poor fouls and terrible shooting (4-16 from the field combined).

Nati forced 19 turnovers but lacked a reliable outside shooter to round out the offense (2-15 from long range). All in all, both home teams disappointed big time in the first regional game at Fifth Third Arena, as Zip Em’ Up lost 91-75 to Takeover BC.

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