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7h ago

Purple Reign Snaps Two-Year Skid With Elam-Ending Thriller to Reach TBT Semifinals

Shaun Williams’s walk-off three sent Purple Reign to Monday’s semifinal against JHX Hoops with a shot at the $1 million prize.

Purple Reign guard Shaun Williams (26) celebrates after knocking down the game-winning 3-pointer in an 85-84 victory over The Shine on Saturday in the first round of The Basketball Tournament's Kansas City Regional at Municipal Auditorium. Justin Mohlinq/TBT
Former Kansas State forward Austin Trice drives to the basket during Purple Reign’s TBT Tournament first-round basketball game against The Shine on July 19, 2025 at Municipal Auditorium.
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Overview

  • Purple Reign served as co-host for the inaugural Kansas City Regional at Municipal Auditorium after two seasons of early TBT exits in Wichita.
  • The alumni roster, led by former Wildcats stars Jacob Pullen and Kamau Stokes alongside emerging talents, rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit.
  • In the Elam Ending, where the clock stops and teams play to a target score of 85, Shaun Williams scored the final five points, including the game-winning three, to edge The Shine 85–84.
  • The victory snapped the team’s two-year tournament losing streak and booked a semifinal meeting with co-host JHX Hoops on Monday at 8 p.m.
  • The single-elimination competition awards a $1 million prize to its champion, drawing former college standouts and hometown fans for high-stakes showdowns.