There really was nothing funny about the lopsided intramural basketball game between There Is Nothing Funny About Domestic Abuse and Athletes Anonymous on Monday night.

Down early, Nothing Funny, the sixth-ranked team in the Recreational Services Top 10 men’s basketball poll, glided to a 57-17 victory after a 34-0 run spanning nine minutes in the first half.

With its second victory by 40 or more points this season, Nothing Funny captain Gautam “Boots” Reddy said the squad doesn’t like to ease up too much in games for a reason.

“I think that just gives us intimidation [before the playoffs],” said the medical student, who sports a Mohawk. “Teams are going to see those scores and what we did to those teams.”

Tony Frank, who had nine of Athlete’s Anonymous’ 17 points on three 3-pointers, didn’t seem to take the blowout personally, understanding the playoff-bound Nothing Funny needed to get reps in.

“What I got is that they were trying to practice,” he said. “I’m sure they’re just getting in shape, so I don’t take offense to that.”

The game started out unexpectedly for Nothing Funny after a Frank 3-pointer gave Athletes Anonymous a 6-4 advantage in the first three minutes of play.

Nothing Funny capitalized on several fast breaks to go up 38-6, and eventually 42-8 at halftime. Brian Larson especially took advantage of the run, tallying 21 points.

Blocks and deflections by the winning squad were other deciding factors in the game. Senior Sean Anthony had three blocks in the first half, with most knocked downcourt to spark a fast break.

One play typical of the night occurred late in the first half, when a block by Reddy went straight to Larson. He decided to take the ball to the iron, and he sustained a heavy foul. He made both the lay-up and free throw.

The second half saw much less scoring from Nothing Funny. Athlete’s Anonymous sunk the first four points to begin the half.

During the subsequent time-out by Nothing Funny, senior Raheel Yaseen told the group they needed to slow down because the team was rushing shots.

The strategy may have led to the team going cold, though, with only Anthony and Josh Doyle scoring more than two points in the half.

Larson was held scoreless in the second half, but he said it was his own doing as a team player.

“I felt like I needed to give my teammates a chance to score,” he said. “[I wanted to] let Boots do a little work down low. Just try to spread the ball around a little.”

From the tip-off, it seemed Athlete’s Anonymous wouldn’t be able to stick with a team that has played in intramural tournaments across the country. The members even seemed resigned to the idea that they were going to lose on Monday night.

“We’re only five guys and not very talented,” Frank said.