WATERBORO — Tyus Sprague-Ripley scored 29 points and nearly had a triple-double to lead Massabesic to a 74-62 win over Gorham on Tuesday.

“It’s mostly the team effort that got me (29 points),” Sprague Ripley said. “My points come from my teammates.”

Sprague-Ripley didn’t miss a shot from the floor and made three 3-pointers. He also had seven rebounds and eight steals.

“(Sprague-Ripley) was 11 for 11 from the field,” Massabesic Coach Chris Binette said.

“He was a stud, we needed them all.

“He just played his heart out. I can’t say enough about how hard he plays.”

Added Gorham assistant coach Mike Fogarty: “We knew how good he was. He adds another dimension. He can go inside but he also likes it outside. He can shoot it.”

Dan Amabile also had a big game for Massabesic, finishing with 23 points, including 15 in the second half.

Fogarty filled in for Gorham Coach Mark Karter, who was out with the flu.

“Coach Karter was sick tonight and those kids played their hearts out,” Binette said. “Coach Karter ought to be really, really pleased with how they played tonight.”

Massabesic (4-0) was in control for most of the game but Gorham went on a 7-2 run late in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to four at 63-59 with 3:48 left in the game.

“It was a lockdown kind of situation, a sense of urgency. We had our chances tonight,” said Fogarty.

After a Massabesic layup to push the lead to six, Gorham was able to get to the free-throw line for two but missed them both.

The Rams (2-1) ran out of gas and never got closer.

“They battled back,” Binette said. “Gorham is a good team.”

The Rams were able to stay in the game thanks in large part to their two big men: Sam Kilborn and Billy Ruby.

Ruby finished with a double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds). He scored eight points in the fourth quarter.

Kilborn fell one rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points, seven in the fourth quarter, and nine rebounds. He also had four assists and a block.

“Sam (Kilborn) finally came through in the second half, got a couple big boards, got a little bit stronger,” Fogarty said. “We need that from him going forward. I think we can build on that.”

Gorham struggled from the foul line, making just 11 of 24, including 7 of 12 in the fourth quarter. Massabesic was 15 for 23 from the line.

“We’re learning how to win here and this was a big learning experience for (us). This was a tournament atmosphere,” said Binette. “The kids just kept playing hard and I’m just so proud of them.”

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