One of the great rivalries in all of college sports was renewed Monday night when Kentucky’s alumni team La Familia played Louisville’s alumni team at The Basketball Tournament.
The game was hard-fought, and emotions ran high. It was everything one would expect when the two schools face off, even after the clock hit zero.
La Familia got out to a three point halftime lead behind Willie Cauley-Stein, who hit three three-pointers on three attempts. He also had five rebounds and two steals.
In the third quarter, the Wildcats squad exploded for 26 points, and the lead widened to 18 points. Nate Sestina scored 15 in the quarter, nailing five three-pointers. Louisville made a push in the fourth quarter, but came up short. La Familia won it 70 – 61.
Related: Willie Cauley-Stein gives interesting answer when asked if he roots for Arkansas or Kentucky
Sestina led the way for the former Wildcats with 22 points. Cauley-Stein had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. Andrew Harrison recorded 11 points and 7 assists.
After the game, Sestina, who had flashed the “L’s down” with his fingers, which many of the former Cardinals objected to. Chinanu Onuaku, in particular, took offense and appeared to spit at Sestina, which nearly incited a brawl. Luckily, the teams were separated.
Sestina said of the incident:
Emotions ran high, that’s what this game does to people. It had been great chatter the whole game, nothing crazy, nothing personal. And then it got personal, obviously. L’s down versus L’s up, that’s what this game is. (Onuaku) was just like, ‘Don’t do L’s down in here’ and I was just like ‘Alright, L’s down always.
And then he walked away and stepped at me or whatever, I backward turned, and then he spit in my face, Mr. Onuaku. I’m gonna leave it at that. Nothing crazy, spit at me. That’s on him.
All in all, it was another festive game between the two heated rivals. Fans are sure to remember this one when the Wildcats and Cardinals meet again.
Next up, La Familia will play Carmen’s Crew, which is an Ohio State alumni team. That will be August 2nd at 9:00 PM.