Spalding surprises Dunbar, 79-62 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Pat O'Malley Sun Staff Originally published December 16, 2001 Suddenly back from a 15-point deficit, No. 5 Dunbar got lit up by guard Landy Thompson in the fourth period and visiting Archbishop Spalding went on to rout the Poets, 79-62, last night in boys basketball. Thompson, a senior transfer from defunct Newport Prep, fired in 19 of his game-high 32 points in the game's last eight minutes. Third-ranked Spalding (6-1) took a 52-50 lead into the last quarter of a matchup of Baltimore Catholic League and Baltimore city powers. The Cavaliers outscored the Poets 27-12 in the final period at their storied gym. It was Dunbar's first loss at home in three years. "Once we got back in the game, the one guy [Thompson] hit the big threes that broke our backs," said Dunbar coach Eric Lee, who estimated the Poets' home winning streak to be in the 20's but was unsure of the exact number. "We fought, we fought and we fought, but once we got back, he hit the threes. And that was the difference right there." Thompson, who was 7-for-9 from the floor in the fourth period and sank both of his free-throw attempts, drained three consecutive three-pointers with a two in between to give the Cavaliers a 63-55 lead with 5:28 left. The lead went to 10 at 65-55 on a jumper in the paint by 6-foot-11 sophomore Will Bowers, who fouled out on the next play with 3:30 remaining. Bowers left with 10 points, nine boards and one block. Six-foot-5 senior Cory Hudson had 11 points and maintained the boards in Bowers' absence, finishing with a game-high 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Gus Durr added 13 points and six rebounds for Spalding, which held a 36-18 advantage in rebounds and out-shot the Poets, 48 percent to 35 percent. Down 35-25 at the half, Dunbar fell behind by 15 with 5:30 left in the third period. A technical on Lee sent Thompson to the line, and his free throw made it 44-29. "At first I didn't know too much about them [Dunbar] and all week the guys have been telling me, they're one of the best teams in Baltimore," said Thompson, who is from Germantown. "I felt like I had to prove myself because nobody really knows me around here. I had to prove myself against one of the best teams in the area." Dunbar (2-2) got treys from James Taylor and Jujuan Robinson - who tied for team-high scoring honors with 17 points each - and Jason Garland in its surge. Robinson went to the line with 1:03 left in the third period and hit the second of two to cut Dunbar's deficit to 52-46 after Spalding coach Mike Glick got what he asked for - a technical foul. "I was proud of the way our kids responded after I got the technical foul," said Glick, who then watched Robinson hit a short jumper after the free throw to make it 52-48. "I usually don't get technical fouls, but I felt that one was needed in that situation. They showed a lot of composure in the fourth quarter." Durrell York's stick back at the buzzer made it 52-50. York (13 points) was fouled on the play. Even though he missed the free throw with no time left, the Poets had momentum going into the final period, which Thompson then shifted to Spalding . "Landy is a great playmaker and he is getting better and better each game," said Glick. "He's getting more comfortable with our players and, with Jesse Brooks, gives us one of the best backcourts in the area. "This is a gigantic win for our kids and for Anne Arundel County. It shows that great basketball is played in other places than Baltimore." Copyright © 2001, The Baltimore Sun