ANAHEIM — In a game featuring a regional power and a national power, the play was as strong as advertised. Orange Lutheran and Las Vegas Bishop Gorman’s Saturday afternoon contest in the Nike Extravaganza was punctuated by dynamic plays and high scoring. The two teams even went into overtime for added measure.
In the end, Bishop Gorman proved too strong for Orange Lutheran to surpass, falling 72-60, at Mater Dei’s Meruelo Athletic Center.
Lutheran launched a furious rally in the fourth quarter and managed to outscore the Gaels 18-5 to tie the game at 56, sending it into bonus time. But the Lancers came up short during the overtime period, putting up just four points. Only one field goal was made and the attempt to kick the offense outside was made difficult by a swarming Bishop Gorman defense, which held Orange Lutheran to an 0-for-5 mark from beyond the arc.
Gorman’s Rashad Muhammad, brother of UCLA’s basketball player Shabazz, led all scorers with 24 points, two of which came on a highlight reel-worthy half court buzzer-beater. Muhammad also pulled down five boards and had three assists.
Tre Kennedy and Noah Robotham each scored 13 for the Gaels.
Lutheran was led by Kendall Lauderdale’s 17 points. Lauderdale had a stellar night for the Lancers (17-7), going 8-for-18 at the line and grabbing 13 rebounds. Payton Banks added in 11 for the Lancers and Rogers Printup scored 10.
Gorman shot 44.8 percent from the field and used a solid, physical defense to hold Lutheran to just a 36.5 percent mark for the game.
The Gaels (20-3) blew out the Lancers in the first quarter, opening the game on a 13-3 run. The second quarter began with much of the same, as Muhammad went inside to Obim Okeke under the basket for an easy basket. Chase Jeter then went coast-to-coast for a layup and Muhammad found Chase Nomaaea with a beautiful behind-the-back pass that he rolled in, pushing the lead to 26-10.
But Gorman’s hot opening stretch quickly turned cold. Lutheran chipped away at the lead but to go into the locker room down 28-14.
A big third quarter put Lutheran right back in the game. The Lancers began to push the pace and excelled in transition. An exciting fourth quarter ensued. But overtime belonged to the Gaels. Lutheran was outscored 16-4 in overtime, unable to upset one of the nation’s top teams.
