Shortridge edges out University girls in close contest

The REPORTER

Shortridge outscored University 13-7 in the fourth quarter to come away with a 48-45 girls basketball victory in a back-and-forth contest.

The Blue Devils scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to take a 41-38 lead before University’s Sydney Culp tied the score with her third three pointer of the game. Taylor Seay’s foul shot gave University its last lead at 42-41 before a Shortridge three pointer with 3:33 left.

University trailed 48-43 late in the game before Leah Norvell’s rebound basket pulled University within three with 8.5 seconds left. The Trailblazers stole the ball after Shortridge inbounded and the Blue Devils committed a foul. University got off a potential game-tying three pointer that missed the mark.

Seay led University with a game-high 20 points, including making 10 of 15 free throw attempts. Gabby Culp had 10 points and Sydney Culp nine.

University lost their fifth game in a row and now stands at 7-11 on the season.

The Trailblazers and Blue Devils will play again Friday night at Shortridge in the Pioneer Conference championship game. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.