Jarvis Omersa threw down several rim-rattling dunks, but it was Daniel Oturu’s defense that proved to be the difference late in a showdown between two future Gophers Saturday night at the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic.
Oturu scored 21 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked seven shots for Cretin-Derham Hall, the final rejection preserving the Raiders’ one-possession lead in the final 30 seconds of their 77-76 victory over Orono at the Lindbergh Center in Hopkins.
Sy Chatman scored 17 points and Ryan Larson added a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Raiders, ranked second in Class 4A.
Max Bjorklund dropped in a game-high 24 points for the Spartans, who are ranked second in 3A. Omersa scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Colton Codute added 17 points.