Overseas Elite, Baltimore are the big winners

Three-time champs hold off upstart Team Challenge ALS for 86-83 win in final

Baltimore native and NBA star Carmelo Anthony and a near-capacity crowd at Coppin State saw quality high-stakes basketball Thursday night — a huge winner-take-all cash prize in the championship game of The Basketball Tournament at stake.

While Overseas Elite came away with its third straight tournament title and the $2 million — holding off gutsy Team Challenge ALS, 86-83 — the city of Baltimore also came away equally rewarded in proving a fine host for the event.

“For me, it’s about the spirit of Baltimore, giving back,” said Anthony, a former Towson Catholic star. “Yesterday, we had a “Day of Giving” where we went to a lot of communities and I got a medal from the mayor [Catherine Pugh], so it’s bringing positive attention and connecting with a lot of things. This right here is big — not just for TBT but Baltimore.”

After the 64-team field was whittled to two, Thursday’s title game was the classic mismatch that went to the wire.

In winning, Overseas Elite remains perfect with a 19-0 record in its three tournament appearances.

Beating Team Challenge ALS didn’t come easy for the perennial champions.

The underdog started fast, building a 13-point lead by the midpoint of the 18-minute first half before Overseas chipped away and took a 49-45 halftime lead on a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Paris Horne.

The game stayed tight throughout the second half, the champions always staying