Gorman boys drop opener in Tournament of Champions

Sam Cunliffe had 26 points Thursday, including two key free throws with seven seconds to play to lead Rainier Beach (Wash.) to a 74-71 win over Bishop Gorman's boys basketball team in the opening round of the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo.

The Gaels tied the game at 71 on a jumper by Zach Collins with 21 seconds to play.

But Marquis Gurski's free throw with 17 seconds left gave the Vikings the lead. Gorman turned the ball over with nine seconds left, and Cunliffe hit two free throws with seven seconds to play for the final margin.

Christian Popoola's potential tying 3-pointer missed with one second left for Gorman.

Cunliffe was 16-for-19 from the free-throw line. Kevin Porter scored 18 of his 19 points in the first half to help the Vikings take a 45-28 lead.

Charles O'Bannon had 31 points and eight rebounds to lead Gorman, and Collins added 22 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots for the Gaels, who shot just 6 of 27 from the field in the first half.

Gorman didn't lead after the first quarter, and Rainier Beach took its biggest advantage at 46-28 on a free throw by Porter with 7:13 to go in the third quarter. The Gaels followed that with a 15-3 run to get back into the game.

Gorman tied the game four times in the fourth quarter, but never regained the lead.