Tyler Grace Pulls Away From Brownsboro to Capture Apache Bracket Championship of Wagstaff Holiday Classic

TYLER -- The Tyler Grace Cougars used a 12-0 run at the end of third and beginning of the fourth quarter to pull away for a 68-61 win over Brownsboro on Saturday in the Apache Bracket championship game of the Wagstaff Holiday Classic.

Grace (16-3) broke open a 44-43 game by scoring the game's next 12 points. Brownsboro (10-9) never got closer than eight points until the final shot of the game with five seconds remaining.

Trevor Gunter, a 6-5 junior post, led Grace with 18 points. Verlo Levels added 16 points and four rebounds, while Andrew Melhart knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points. Senior point guard Phillip McKinney chipped in with 11 points (all in the second half) to go with eight assists and five steals.

McKinney helped lead the charge for Grace in the second half. During the pivotal 12-0 spurt, he assisted on three baskets and knocked down a 3-pointer that gave the Cougars a 55-42 lead with 5:56 remaining.

Quentin McKenzie led Brownsboro with 20 points and seven rebounds. Tamrick Pace added 13 points, five rebounds and two assists, Clay McCoy had 10 points, while Will Bailey provided nine points, six boards and seven assists in the losing effort.

Brownsboro started fast, grabbing a 13-8 lead in the first quarter on a jumper from McCoy. But Grace settled in, going on a 9-3 to end the period, taking a 17-16 lead with an Adam Graham 3-pointer.

The second period was back and forth. Melhart's 3-pointer at the buzzer for Grace tied the game at 32-32 going into halftime.

Tyler Grace will host Brownsboro next Saturday in non-district action.

Tyler Grace 68, Brownsboro 61

2013 Wagstaff Holiday Classic

Apache Bracket Championship

At Tyler Junior College's Wagstaff Gym

Tyler Grace           17   15   15   21   --   68
Brownsboro          16   16   10   19   --   61
TYLER GRACE (16-3) -- Trevor Gunter, 18; Verlo Levels, 16; Andrew Melhart, 13; Phillip McKinney, 11; Adam Graham, 5; Thomas Nance, 5.
BROWNSBORO (10-9) -- Quentin McKenzie, 20; Tamrick Pace, 13; Clay McCoy, 10; Will Bailey, 9; Jared Bragdon, 5; Xavier Richardson, 4.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Tyler Grace: Melhart (3), Levels (2), McKinney (2), Graham. Brownsboro: Richardson, Bailey.