Syracuse basketball’s run in The Basketball Tournament came to a painful end on Sunday, with Boeheim’s Army falling 70-66 to La Familia, a Kentucky alumni squad, in Lexington, Ken.
The loss sends La Familia into the finals of the 2026 alumni bracket and keeps its shot at the $2 million prize alive. For Boeheim’s Army, it closes the book on this year’s run.
The setting made the matchup feel like a true road test for the Syracuse group. After winning Thursday night at the OnCenter War Memorial in Syracuse, Boeheim’s Army walked into Memorial Coliseum - Kentucky’s home floor - and played in front of thousands of members of “Big Blue Nation.”
Boeheim’s Army also had to manage a short-handed lineup. Veteran guard Eric Devendorf was out after getting injured in Thursday night’s game, while nine-year NBA veteran Wes Johnson was finally available after missing the first two games. Johnson played, but did not score.
The game opened with La Familia grabbing the first punch, taking a 20-14 lead after the first quarter. Boeheim’s Army answered from there and actually led 52-48 after three quarters.
But the fourth quarter brought the Elam Ending, and that’s where things tightened up. Boeheim’s Army was ahead 61-58 when the under-four-minute mark hit, with the target score set at 69. That left La Familia needing 11 points before Syracuse could get eight more and finish the job.
Ty Nichols led Boeheim’s Army with 24 points, while Elijah Hughes added 16 points and seven rebounds.
Then came the turning point. With Syracuse trailing 68-66, a costly turnover set up the game-winning basket for the Kentucky alumni team.
La Familia was powered by former NBA player Archie Goodwin, who scored 30 points in front of his former home crowd.
Boeheim’s Army’s 2026 run is now over. The team has won the tournament once since it began more than a decade ago, has played in every event except 2024, and there is no word yet on whether it will return next year.
La Familia now moves on to face either The AfterShocks or JXH Hoops for the $2 million prize. Tipoff is set for 9:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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