Boeheim’s Army is headed to Kentucky after holding off Hall In for an 81-76 victory Thursday night at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial. The win completed a two-game sweep in the best-of-three opening-round series and sends the Syracuse alumni squad into Sunday’s alumni semifinal against La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team.
Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu led another balanced effort with 14 points and five rebounds, while Tyson Walker capped the victory by sinking the game-winning free throw under the Elam Ending format.
Neither team found much success from beyond the arc early as Boeheim’s Army relied on Akobundu-Ehiogu, who scored the team’s first six points on three dunks. Buddy Boeheim’s three-pointer just before halftime gave Boeheim’s Army a 32-28 lead, but Hall In rallied behind Ant Nelson and Colby Rogers to erase most of a 13-point deficit in the second half. Buddy Boeheim answered with eight straight points in the fourth quarter, and Cole Swider knocked down a timely three-pointer to help restore control before Walker sealed the win at the foul line.
Boeheim’s Army finished with fewer turnovers and turned Hall In’s mistakes into nine more points while also holding a 5-0 edge in fast-break scoring. Walker orchestrated the offense with nine assists, and Akobundu-Ehiogu anchored both ends of the floor with his interior play, including a key late block that sparked a momentum-shifting fast break.
Boeheim’s Army will face La Familia on Sunday in Kentucky, with the winner advancing to the TBT alumni final and tournament semifinal.
A REMATCH OF THE 1996 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
— TBT (@thetournament) July 24, 2026
Kentucky Alumni vs Syracuse Alumni!
Both of these teams are THREE WINS AWAY from $2MILLION!
🎟️TICKETS | 2PM | HISTORIC MEMORIAL COLISEUM: https://t.co/AXezpmBsOo pic.twitter.com/SI0njtMHDD
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.