Gwynn Park High School senior Corey Anderson wouldn't have even seen his name in a box score after three quarters of Friday night's game against Potomac.

The forward wasn't a factor as the Yellow Jackets built their double-digit lead. But when Potomac threatened to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, it was Anderson who saved the game for Gwynn Park.

He had a key defensive stop and made the deciding free throw as Gwynn Park held on to defeat Potomac, 79-78, in a County 3A/2A/1A League game.

Gwynn Park coach Mike Glick said there was no doubt who the Yellow Jackets' most valuable player was down the stretch.

"We really kept our composure and [Anderson] really stepped up," he said. "He was our MVP tonight and made some huge plays down the stretch."

Perhaps the biggest play Anderson made came on defense with less than a minute remaining in the game.

Gwynn Park was clinging to a two-point lead when Anderson blocked a shot by Potomac's Jamaine Lee. The Wolverines pulled down the offensive rebound, but missed the putback. Anderson then grabbed the defensive rebound and was fouled.

"I just slid over and got it from behind," Anderson said.

But the game wasn't over yet since Anderson had missed four straight free throws, which kept Potomac within three points. But he calmly made his final free throw to put the game away.

Anderson finished with eight points in the fourth quarter to carry Gwynn Park, which improved to 6-3 overall and 5-0 in league play.

"I was just glad that it was finally over," Anderson said after making his final free throw. "I missed four in a row and my teammates were telling me to just get the game over with."

Early on, it didn't look like the game was going to come down to a free throw.

Gwynn Park enjoyed a commanding 43-22 advantage on the boards, and at halftime led by 17. The Yellow Jackets still held a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, but couldn't close out the Wolverines.

Potomac forced 26 turnovers, including seven in the fourth quarter, to get within single digits. The Wolverines closed within two points and had several chances to tie the game, but couldn't convert.

Daron Wiseman led Potomac (5-3, 2-2) with 29 points, including five 3-pointers. Gregory Morgan was next with 20 points, while Chris Wiseman chipped in 15. DeAndre Montgomery added 12.

Potomac assistant coach Aaron Holder guided the team in place of head coach Torrance Oxendine, who was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected from an earlier game. Holder said his team is never out of games because of its ability to use pressure defense.

"We have really good guards that keep the pressure on the other team," he said. "These kids don't really pay attention to the scoreboard. We just have to learn how to close games out."

Likewise, Glick mentioned that his team needs to work on handling tense situations late in games.

"I am proud of how resilient we are because most teams might not have been able to finish the game like we did," he said. "But we have to learn how to finish games and finish teams off."

Brian Blue led the Yellow Jackets with 16 points. Tion Coates was next with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Keith Thomas added 11 points, while Ryan Woodard added 10.

The game marked the 25th straight conference victory for the Yellow Jackets. They haven't lost a league game since February 2007. Anderson said that's something they aren't about to do any time soon.

"We just don't want to lose a game, especially at home," he said. "Last year we didn't lose a league game and we don't want to this year."

E-mail Joshua Hudson at jhudson@gazette.net.

Gwynn Park (6-3, 5-0): Corey Anderson 8, Travon Hall 4, Malachi Malik 5, Maurice Peavy 4, Keith Thomas 11, Brian Blue 16, Brandon Ford 6, Tion Coates 15, Ryan Woodard 10.

Rebounds: Gwynn Park 43, Potomac 22.

Assists: Gwynn Park 24, Potomac 20.

Halftime score: Gwynn Park, 46-29.