As usual, the speedy Lions of Jack Yates (Houston) saved their best for last.

Trailing most of the way, Yates rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half for a thrilling 97-96 win over Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) last night in the final of the 'Iolani Classic at the Raiders campus gym.

Joseph Young's four free throws in the final minute were the difference. He sank two to give the Lions a 95-94 lead with 59 seconds left, but Neumann-Goretti's Tyreek Duran drove for a bucket and a one-point lead with 45 ticks left.

Young, a Providence recruit, then was whistled for an offensive foul with 38 seconds to go. Yates' Gary Jackson came up big on defense, tying up Neumann-Goretti's Lamin Fulton for a jump ball at midcourt, giving possession to the Lions.

Young then drove and drew a foul with 7 seconds left. His free throws hit all net for the final points.

The Saints from Philly pushed the ball upcourt and it was tipped out in the corner with 2.1 seconds left. After each team took a time out, Neumann-Goretti found Fulton, who had made three 3-pointers, wide open at the top from 22 feet out. His shot missed as time expired.

Brandon Peters, the slam-dunk champion of the tourney, led Yates with 28 points. Young, named the Classic most valuable player, finished with 25 points and Darius Gardner had 23.

Tony Chennault led Neumann-Goretti with 28 points and Duran added 20. Daniel Stewart chipped in 18.

The Saints started strong behind Chennault, a Wake Forrest commit, and took a 36-24 lead early in the second quarter, but Yates' break-neck pace eventually wore out the Saints and just about every fan among the capacity crowd at 'Iolani.

Yates averaged 91.8 points per game in four contests. The Lions, ranked sixth nationally, had averaged 130 per game coming into the Classic.

Neumann-Goretti was ranked No. 18 before reaching the tourney and upsetting No. 6 Montrose Christian (Md.) in the semifinals on Monday.

Consolation games

Montrose Christian 48, Columbia 45

Josh Hairston scored 15 points and Terrence Ross added 11 to pace the Mustangs of Rockville, Md., to a third-place finish.

JerShon Cobb led the Eagles of Decatur, Ga., with 17 points.

Gonzaga 84, Kinston 64

Cedrick Lindsay poured in 30 points as the Eagles of Washington, D.C., soared over the Vikings from North Carolina for fifth place.

Reggie Bullock led Kinston with 16 points.

Lutheran 68, 'Iolani 41

A 22-4 third-quarter run lifted the Lancers of Orange, Calif., out of a tight battle with the host Raiders for seventh place.

Tyler Funk and Gabe York led Lutheran with 12 points each. Dylan Rice added 11 and James Douglas had 10.

Jarrett Arakawa led 'Iolani with 11 points.

Kamehameha 35, Tsinghua 34

Micah Christenson scored 17 points as the Warriors fought off a late Dragons rally.

Yuliang Hou led Tsinghua of Beijing with nine points.

Hamilton 51, Kahuku 35

Bayrd Goudeau's 11 points led a balanced attack by the Huskies of Chandler, Ariz.

Nehoa Akina had 11 points to lead the Red Raiders.

Moanalua 80, Radford 39

Marcus Monroe scored 24 points and freshman Marcus Keene added 17 for Na Menehune.

T.J. Reid led the Rams with 13 points and J.B. Fontenot chipped in with 11.

Kaimuki 48, 'Iolani II 43

Tevin Nishiyama scored 12 points and Sean Spencer added 11 as the Bulldogs rallied from a 20-8 deficit for their first win in the tourney.

Josh Seto (12 points) and Jordan Tottori (10) led the Division II Raiders.