Shell Shock Outpaces Red Rose Thunder in TBT Round of 32 Thriller (7-20-25)

By: Xavier Jones

Headline Photo Credit: Travis Cheek-LMS Network 

On July 20, 2025, the James Madison Regional of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) delivered an electrifying matchup as the No. 2 seed Shell Shock, the Maryland alumni team, faced off against the No. 3 seed Red Rose Thunder in the Round of 32. The game showcased Shell Shock’s depth and determination as they surged to a commanding lead and held off a resilient Red Rose Thunder squad, advancing toward their goal of the $1 million winner-take-all prize. 

Game Recap

Shell Shock jumped out to a strong start, igniting the crowd with a 9-0 run and a buzzer-beater three-pointer from Kyle Cardiac to lead 27-21 after the first quarter. By halftime, the Terrapins alumni had built a 52-38 advantage, driven by Diamond Stone’s dominance in the paint and Darryl Morsell’s playmaking. Stone contributed 19 points, while Morsell added 9 points and 6 assists, helping Shell Shock maintain a 62-48 lead late in the third quarter. Their defense stifled Red Rose Thunder, holding them to 37.5% field goal shooting through key stretches. 

Red Rose Thunder, coached by the historic mother-son duo of Malin and Lucas Morrison, showed resilience after their 70-59 first-round win over Magic Show. However, they struggled to counter Shell Shock’s balanced roster, which included former Maryland stars like Anthony Tarke, Ronald March, and Xavier Green. Notably, fan-favorite Melo Trimble was sidelined for Shell Shock due to a precautionary injury.

What’s Next

The matchup winner advances while the other has to wait until next year for another crack at the TBT Championship and $1 million prize. Shell Shock’s depth and defensive intensity position them as a strong contender, while Red Rose Thunder’s performance, win or lose, underscores their growing presence in the tournament. 

Why It Matters

This game epitomized TBT’s unique blend of alumni pride, high-stakes competition, and grassroots basketball passion. For Shell Shock, a victory would mark a step toward capturing the $1 million prize and cementing Maryland’s basketball legacy. For Red Rose Thunder, the game was a chance to showcase their underdog spirit and historic coaching dynamic. Fans can follow the TBT journey on YouTube, FOX, or fuboTV and check TBTHoops.com for brackets and updates.