Boys Basketball: Rayshaun Bruce rallies Thornton past Leo

Thornton got a late-game burst from a bench player and came from behind to topple Leo 56-54 Monday in the opening round of the 39th McDipper tournament at Rich South.

Rayshaun Bruce came off the bench to score seven of his nine points in the last two minutes of the game to lead the Wildcats (3-6) to the victory. His three-point play at the two-minute mark gave Thornton a 51-49 lead and put the Wildcats ahead for good. The junior guard went on to score four more points down the stretch to protect the lead.

``He came off the bench and really sparked us,’’ Thornton coach Troy Jackson said of Bruce. ``He was really hustling and getting to the basket for us. He’s not afraid of big situations.’’

Bruce’s heroics came after Edward Buie fouled out midway through the fourth quarter. Buie left the game with 12 points and seven rebounds and also left a void in the scoring column.

Leo (4-5) took a 38-30 lead into the final quarter as Karon Braggs scored 10 of his 15 points in the third quarter. The Junior forward led the Lions with 10 rebounds.

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