By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
CARMEL – The University boys basketball team returned home to the U Center Saturday to play Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference North division opponent Liberty Christian. The Lions went on a long run in the first quarter and stayed in front to beat University 56-51, ending the Trailblazers’ 35-game win streak in the division.
University led 10-6 midway through the first quarter, with Blake Gray scoring five straight points on a layin and a 3. But Liberty Christian dominated the remainder of the period, scoring 10 consecutive points for a 16-10 lead.
The Lions stayed in front for the entirety of the other three quarters, although the Blazers kept it close. Faisal Mohamud drained a second-period triple, then Max McComb hit a 3 at the halftime buzzer to keep University within 22-20 at halftime.
Another McComb basket brought University within 23-22 early in the third period before LC went on an 8-1 run to lead 31-23. The Lions led 37-28 after three quarters, then A’Marien Page began the fourth quarter with a dunk to give Liberty Christian its largest lead at 39-28.
McComb scored six points early in the fourth to help get the Trailblazers within 40-36, and a Mohamud 3 cut the Lions’ lead to 42-39. But Liberty Christian was able to keep University at arm’s length until the buzzer.
“We just weren’t tough enough down the stretch,” said Trailblazers coach Justin Blanding. “First half, we weren’t running our offense. It was a lot of one-pass shot and just bad possessions that came back to hurt us.”
McComb scored 22 points, while Mohamud finished with 13.
University is 1-1 in division play and 2-1 overall. The Trailblazers host Brebeuf Jesuit on Friday, then play Saturday at Mooresville.
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