Takeover BC upsets Xavier-based alumni team, Zip 'Em Up, in 1st round of TBT

CLIFTON − It was a year of firsts for The Basketball Tournament (TBT) in Cincinnati with the event making its debut at UC's Fifth Third Arena. It also marked the first time that the Xavier-based alumni team, Zip 'Em Up, will not advance past the first round after getting up Friday night by No. 7 seed Takeover BC, 91-75.

Zip 'Em Up, which entered its fourth TBT summer with a 4-3 all-time record, ran into a hot-shooting Takover BC club that had the height advantage and comradery to pull off an early stunner as a near double-digit point underdog.

"We're building something," Zip 'Em Up head coach Dee Davis said about the team's outlook. "I think these guys can be successful in the tournament coming up, especially when we get a couple more pieces."

A.J. English makes his mark

Takeover BC guard AJ English, a 2,000-point scorer and a three-time first-team all-conference selection at Iona, finished with a game-high 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting. He delivered a fitting knockout punch during the Elam Ending, ending the night with a walk-off 3-pointer from well beyond the stripe.

"We tried everything with the ball screen. We tried to switch it, trap it, drop − we tried everything. He (English) just got hot early, and he was comfortable," Davis said. "He's known for that. A.J. English did a great job."

Takeover BC shot 40% from beyond the arc (14-for-35) and continuously filled up the hoop to thwart any momentum Zip 'Em Up could grab. With the score tied to begin the second half, Takeover BC opened the third quarter on a 16-4 run and finished 10-of-18 from the field during the period.

Zip 'Em Up cut the lead to single digits at 79-70 in the fourth quarter after a pair of Shannon Bogues free throws, but English was joined in double figures by big man Brison Grisham (16 points), Chris Crawford (15) and Desi Washington (12) to help Takeover BC pull away.

Takeover BC sets tone with size, experience

With a younger roster, Davis wanted Zip 'Em Up's rotation to play fast and energized with a slew of shooters to threaten from the perimeter. Despite a successful night from deep, Takeover BC still found success with a sizable height advantage, quickly filling up passing lanes and crashing the glass.

Takeover BC won the rebounding battle 36-31 and turned 16 offensive boards into 15 points while forcing 13 turnovers.

"They (Takeover BC) know each other," Davis said. "I think that's the advantage they had today. They were so long and athletic. They switched screens and were always in the gap. It made it hard to get shots off."

Shootout in Cincy

It wasn't the Crosstown Shootout, that will be held at Fifth Third Arena in December between Xavier and UC, but it was an up-and-down first-round contest from the opening tip on Friday night. Each team shot over 50% from the field in the first half with Takeover BC setting the tone early with a barrage from beyond the arc that sent Zip 'Em Up searching for answers.

English went on a personal 11-0 run in the first quarter to break a 6-6 tie. Takeover BC started 7-of-9 from distance and English had a game-high 17 at the break.

Zip 'Em Up gets wake-up call

For the first time in its four-year TBT run, Zip 'Em Up did not have the advantage of playing in front of the Cintas Center faithful as the Fifth Third Arena crowd donned in red and white for Nasty Nati's nightcap matchup was far from encouraging.

Zip 'Em Up still managed a boost after trailing by double figures for the majority of the first half. Nathan Johnson Jr., a TBT veteran, anchored an offense that shot at a 58.6% clip through the first two quarters with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Trevon Bluiett, in his first game since scoring 40 in the 2017 Crosstown Shootout, knocked down back-to-back triples to help Zip 'Em Up fight back to a 51-51 tie at the break.

Big man Jacob Polakovich was one of four "Grad Transfer" additions by Zip 'Em Up just five days ago but needed little time to shake off the rust. As one of the non-former Musketeers, Polakovich played a big role off the bench turning in 13 points. Bogues, a fellow grad transfer, added 10 points off the bench while Johnson was Zip 'Em Up's best player on the offensive end with 24 points.

"It's classic Nate," said Paul Scruggs, who had 5 points and a game-high 6 assists. "He's always been an excellent shooter, an excellent basketball player and just being able to come back here and play with him again is a blessing."