Tabor Outlasts Oakland Tech

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA -- Results and summaries of the games played at the City of Palms tournament:

Game 1 (Consolation game)

Abramson of New Orleans 68, Bishop Verot 46

Warren Scott led Abramson with 29 points. Justin Bone had 21 for the losers.

Game 2

Tabor Academy 52 Oakland Tech 51

In the day's best matchup, it was a contrast in styles. Oakland is a run and gun West Coast team versus Tabor Academy's patient half court East Coast physical style.

Oakland came out the gate running and pressing. They jumped on Tabor for a quick 8-2 lead. They led at the end of the 1st quarter 22-16. But slowly and steadily the tide began changing as Tabor's delibrate style tested Tech's point guard Armondo Surratt's (Fresno State) patience. Sophomore Charles Burch and Torin Francis (Notre Dame) went to work on the inside giving Tabor a 30-27 halftime lead.

Oakland came out in the 3rd quarter and regained control, with big man junior Leon Powe going to work. Their defense forced turnovers from Tabor's unsteady point guard, and held Tabor to just five points in the entire quarter, taking a 39-35 lead.

The lead increased to 10 in the fourth 45-35 as Oakland's press forced numerous turnovers.

But Tabor wasn't dead yet. They came charging back behind the three-point shooting of senior James Parker and sophomore Khaliq Gant. With a minute left Oaklnad's lead had shrunk to 49-47.

Gant nailed a huge three with 30.7 seconds left to give Tabor a 50-49 lead. Oakland answered when sophomore Quentin Thomas piced up a loose rebound and scored with 16 seconds remaining.

With all the attention being paid to Torin Francis and Tabor's three-point shooters

shooters, senior Mike Robinson snuck inside for a layup, but missed. He grabbed his own ebound and put it back with 1.7 seconds remaining.

Oakland tried a desperation full court heave but it fell short as did their dream of

reaching the finals. Leon Powe of Oakland led all scorers with 21 pts and 9 rebounds.

Charles Burch led Tabor with 15 points. Torin Francis had 14 points, 13 rebounds,

and three blocks. Mike Robinson chipped in with 10 points and eight boards.