NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Samardo Samuels scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help St. Benedict's overcome a gritty Rice High School team, 55-52, in the NIKE Super Six event held inside Madison Square Garden.
Samuels sat out the entire first quarter for reasons undisclosed. He entered the game with 7:43 left in the second quarter and St. Benedict's leading 17-13.
Rice did lead 25-22 at the half due to Durand Scott's eight points. But St. Benedict's took control in the third quarter, taking the lead 42-34 heading into the fourth. In this quarter Samuels produced six points while frontcourt teammate Greg Echenique, the talented junior prospect.
But Rice has plenty of talent too. And the play of Kemba Walker, who finished the game with 18 points, helped forge a tie at 49-49 with less than a minute to play. However, a miscue by Rice, attempting to hold the ball for the last shot, gave Danny Hurley's team possession.
Samuels hit a basket with 29.4 seconds left and was fouled. He converted the free throw to give his team a three-point lead. Some key free throws by Tamir Jackson were equally as important for St. Benedict's.
Jackson could have easily been named the game's Most Valuable Player too. He produced 15 points, many of them clutch points. Echenique also had 15 points for the winners. He grabbed 12 rebounds as well.
Besides Walker's 18 points, Scott had 14 for Rice. Durvelle Carter added nine points for the Raiders.