McDonogh senior forward Mike Popoko led all scorers with 16 points, but none was bigger than his driving six-footer at the buzzer that lifted No. 10 McDonogh over No. 2 Mount St. Joseph, 45-44, in the opening round of the Special Olympics tournament in York, Pa.
The Eagles will play either York Suburban or York Catholic in tonight's final at 8.
The Eagles (7-1) rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to pull within five at the end of the third quarter.
The Gaels (6-1) took a 44-43 lead when senior guard Kyle O'Connor hit a layup. But that only set up Popoko's heroics.
The Eagles outscored the Gaels 14-6 in the pivotal third quarter.
"The first four minutes of the third quarter, we really clawed our way back into the game," McDonogh coach Matt MacMullan said.
Wes Unseld Mixer
No. 3 Randallstown 85, No. 16 Southern-AA 65: The Rams (7-0) earned a chance to defend their tournament title with a comfortable win over the Bulldogs (2-4) at CCBC-Catonsville. The Rams will play Thomas Stone, a 60-46 winner over Woodlawn, tonight at 8.
Bethel Invitational
No. 9 Dunbar 65, Bethel 61: Herman Hayes hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer after taking a length-of-the-court inbounds pass from Kendrick Maybank, sending the game to a second overtime and helping the Poets (7-1) outlast the tournament host in Hampton, Va.
Dunbar's Maurice Barksdale hit 14 of 19 foul shots en route to a game-high 20 points.
Bob Pascal Tournament
Severn 69, Chesapeake-AA 63: Darnell Jones and Evan Crowther-Washburn scored 17 points apiece to propel the Admirals (7-4) past the Cougars. Severn will play Northeast, the host, tonight at 7:30.
Howard Tournament
River Hill 47, Howard 37: The Hawks (6-2) trailed at halftime, but turned up their defensive pressure in the third quarter and won the tournament crown behind a game-high 14 points from Aaron Bolds.
Bristow Tournament
Chapelgate 70, Poly 67: The Flames (6-4) made their free throws down the stretch and got 24 points from Steve Evans to win at Gilman.
Gilman 51, Mount Hebron 44: The Greyhounds (7-5) defeated the Vikings behind 17 points from Luke Wilson.
Gilman will host Chapelgate in tomorrow's final at 8 p.m.
Central High Tournament
No. 1 Douglass 71, Coolidge 61: Tremaine Bolden finished with 15 points and six assists to help the Ducks (6-0) over their Washington foe in the opening round of the tournament. Douglass will play Central, the tournament host, tonight at 8.
Capital City Classic
No. 6 Annapolis 84, Loyola 58: The host Panthers (6-1) rolled to the title behind 28 points from Laronja Owens.
Glenelg Tournament
Poolesville 54, Glenelg 51: Dallas Davidson had 16 points, but the Gladiators (3-4) came up short in the final against the Indians (6-1).
Lions Club Classic
No. 14 Long Reach 86, Paint Branch 73: The Lightning (7-0) prevailed, thanks to 22 points from Jared Bradford.
Lake Clifton Tournament
No. 5 Lake Clifton 67, Plymouth Whitemarsh (Pa.) 45: Paris Carter had 14 points to lead the Lakers (4-1) into today's matchup against Paul VI, a 42-35 winner over Towson Catholic yesterday.
Lansdowne Tournament
No. 18 Lansdowne 60, Western Tech 46: Junior Barry Cornish scored 19 points as the Vikings (4-1) captured the opening-round game. The Vikings will play North County, a winner over Overlea, tonight at 7:15.
Manuel Gonzalez Classic
Joppatowne 67, Kenwood 60: Brian Selby led the way with 18 points in the first-round win for the Mariners (3-2) over the Bluebirds at CCBC-Dundalk. Today's 6 p.m. final will pit Joppatowne against Carver, a 56-42 winner over South River.
Mustang Tournament
No. 20 St. Mary's 58, Curley 33: Jeff Postell and Mike Zurfluh scored 11 points apiece as the Saints (9-3) rolled over the Friars at C. Milton Wright. St. Mary's will play the tournament host, C.M. Wright, a 68-39 winner over Frazier (Pa.) yesterday, at 7:30 tonight in the final.
Riverdale Bapt. Tourney
Southern-BC 68, Lee (Va.) 52: Junior point guard Jerrell Green had 17 points and 13 assists to lead the Bulldogs (3-4) to the victory in the first round. Southern plays Riverdale Baptist today at 1 p.m.
St. John's Classic
Roman Catholic (Pa.) 44, No. 11 Calvert Hall 33: In Washington, senior guard Jack McClinton finished with 17 points in a losing effort for the Cardinals (8-2).