Sean Goforth, Ben Ashworth Fuel Big Fourth Quarter in 65-51 Win at Tyler Grace

TYLER -- Warning to future Tyler T.K. Gorman opponents: if Sean Goforth is cold, don't foul him on a three-point attempt at the start of the fourth quarter.

Goforth, who missed his first eight shots, caught fire after draining three free throws, scoring 12 fourth-quarter points to combine with senior guard Ben Ashworth and take over the final period in Gorman's 65-51 win at the Cougar Dome to put a damper on Tyler Grace's senior night.

Goforth hit four of his final five shots from the field, including a three-pointer shortly after his successful three-shot trip to the charity stripe. Those six points boosted Gorman's lead from one point -- 35-34 entering the fourth -- to seven points, 41-34, half a minute into the frame.

After that, Grace never got closer than two possessions.

The teams played to four lead changes and a tie during a back-and-forth third quarter, but Goforth and Ashworth dominated in the fourth. Ashworth scored 13 second-half points to finish with a game-high 22 points and five assists.

"I've been struggling the past couple of games trying to get my shot. I got to the free-throw line and knocked them down," said Goforth, a junior guard. "That really gave me my confidence back and I fed off the energy from the crowd.

"Ben's a really good player. When he knows he needs to take over, he can. As a team we played great in that fourth quarter."

Gorman (13-12, 2-3) scored 30 fourth-quarter points to turn the Crusaders' one-point lead after three to a 14-point victory margin. The lead reached 17 points late in the game.

The win was Gorman's third in as many tries against Grace in the 2012-13 season.

"It feels nice to beat them three straight times," Goforth said, grinning.

Sophomore post Trevor Gunter led Grace (11-12, 2-4) with 19 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while Verlo Levels had 11 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals.

Gorman's Brandon Lackner had 10 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.

Gorman came out on fire. The Crusaders took a 10-2 first-quarter lead and led 17-9 after one. Grace then settled in, cutting Gorman's lead to 23-20 by halftime. The teams shot a combined 28.1 percent in the first half and 3-for-19 (15.8 percent) from three-point range.

Gorman hosts Dallas Parish Episcopal on Friday. Grace travels to Carrollton Prince of Peace.

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TAPPS District 2-4A

Tyler T.K. Gorman 65, Tyler Grace 51

Cougar Dome, Tyler

Tyler T.K. Gorman -- 17 6 12 30 -- 65
Tyler Grace -- 9 11 14 17 -- 51

Tyler T.K. Gorman (13-12, 2-3) -- Ben Ashworth 22, Sean Goforth 12, Brandon Lackner 10, Chris Danley 4, Patrick Droder 4, Mitchell Raney 4, Christian Watkins 4, Adam Aucar 2, Max McKinley 2.
Tyler Grace (11-12, 2-4) -- Trevor Gunter 19, Verlo Levels 11, Blake Johnson 6, Andrew Melhart 6, Levi Crozier 4, Phillip McKinney 3, Thomas Nance 2.