Patterson Rallies To Beat Thomas Stone 86-75

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Aquille Carr scored 28 points and sparked a fourth-quarter rally that helped Patterson defeat Thomas Stone 86-75 in the Class 3A state title game Saturday.

This is the first state championship for Patterson (21-7), which lost in last year's title game. Thomas Stone (25-2) has lost three state championship games in the past five years.

Carr also had eight assists and six steals. Devin Hebron added 23 points, Shakir Brown had 18 and 10 rebounds, while center Leonard Livingston dominated the inside with eight points and 11 blocks.

Patterson's foul problems helped Thomas Stone score the final 12 points of the first half for a 43-34 halftime lead. The Clippers led 61-60 after three and Carr scored eight points during a 17-8 run in the fourth quarter for an 80-72 Patterson lead with 1:17 remaining. He also had two assists, helping to account for 12 of his team's 17 points during the run.

Quickness and tough defense helped Patterson convert 24 Thomas Stone turnovers into 34 points.

Emeka Mbakwe scored 18 points and Michael Briscoe added 15 for the Cougars.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)