PORTLAND — The Portland boys basketball team used its quick transition offense to race out to an early double-digit lead against South Portland. Then the Bulldogs used their defense and rebounding to hold on to a wire-to-wire 52-47 win Saturday during the Holiday Hoops Showcase at the Portland Expo.
Senior guard Lucas LeGage scored 14 points (10 in the first quarter) for Portland, and junior guard Maddox Meas added 12 points. Senior center Benilson Lumani added eight points and nine rebounds.
Portland (4-2) led by as many as 15 early in the second quarter, taking a 26-16 advantage into halftime. South Portland (5-1) was able to make it a four-point game twice (46-42 with 2:33 left and 51-47 with 43.2 seconds left).
Senior forward Darius Johnson led South Portland with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Freshman guard Leonel Despacho added 16 points (four 3-pointers) and added three assists. Both scored 13 in the second half.
The No. 1 Red Riots beat the No. 10 Bulldogs, 51-48, on Dec. 12.
– This story will be updated.
