University girls fall to Covenant Christian on last-second 3

The REPORTER

Avery Reichart’s three-pointer from the top of the key with 5.4 seconds left lifted Covenant Christian to a 55-53 win over University in a battle of Sectional 42 contenders at The U Center last Saturday night.

Reichart’s game winner thwarted a furious University comeback that saw the Trailblazers rally from a five-point deficit with less than three minutes left.

The teams were tied at 45 after three quarters before Covenant Christian built a 50-45 lead by holding University scoreless for the first 5:20 of the final period. Gabby Culp’s rebound basket with 2:40 left started University’s comeback. Taylor Seay made two foul shots with 2:02 left to pull the Blazers within one.

Leah Norvell made a steal on the defensive end to get the ball back for the Blazers and then drilled a two pointer from the foul line for a 51-50 advantage. After the Warriors went back on top 52-51 University took time out with 30 seconds. The Blazers ran an inbound play from their baseline to perfection with Norvell finding Gabby Culp for a layin. After a Covenant Christian timeout, Reichart hit her three pointer. University turned the ball over on the inbound and with three fouls to give could not commit enough fouls to get the Warriors to the line before the final buzzer.

University trailed 36-28 three minutes into the second half before scoring nine consecutive points for a 37-36 lead.  Seay started the rally with a rebound basket. Sydney Culp scored off a steal before Anyah Turley converted an and one three-point play. Turley put University up 37-36 on a pair of foul shots with 2:42 left. The teams then traded scores for the rest of the quarter with Seay knotting the contest at 45 with 14 seconds left.

Seay led the Blazers with 15 points. Sydney Culp finished with 13 points and Turley 12 to give University three double-figure scorers. Norvell had nine points.

The Blazers have lost four games in a row and will take a 7-10 record into their game at Shortridge on Tuesday night. Covenant Christian is 13-4 entering the Indianapolis City Tournament as the third seed.