Long Island Lutheran 78, St. Mary’s 51

Jamesville-DeWitt's Tyler Cavanaugh (34) tries to grab a rebound away from Long Island Lutheran's Achraf Yacoubou (24) in a New York State Federation Basketball Tournament of Champions Class A boys semifinal game in Albany, N.Y., on Friday, March 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)

By IAN PICKUS, Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Tournament MVP Achraf Yacoubou scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Long Island Lutheran came back to beat St. Mary’s 78-51 in the Class A final Saturday at the New York State Boys Basketball Federation Tournament of Champions.

One of five players in double figures, Mike Florin added 18 points — including four 3-pointers — for the Crusaders (23-4). Brandon Alford had 12 points.

Dante Agnew led the way with 15 points for the Gaels (29-1), who also got 14 points and 11 rebounds from Charles McCann.

St. Mary’s, which was up by nine midway through the second quarter, led 35-32 at halftime, after its lead was cut at the buzzer by a deep 3-pointer from Florin.

That bucket keyed a 17-0 Long Island Lutheran run that erased St. Mary’s lead and put the game away. Long Island Lutheran notched its sixth title and second in three years.

The Crusaders shot 55 percent from the field, while St. Mary’s struggled from the free-throw line, going 8-of-23 at the stripe.

Seven-time finalist Long Island Lutheran, out of the AISAA in Nassau County, got to the title with a 75-71 victory over Jamesville-DeWitt in Friday’s semifinal round.

Third-time finalist St. Mary’s, from the CHSAA in Nassau County, reached the championship with a 67-44 win over Midwood in the semis.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.