Blazers get seventh consecutive win

The REPORTER

University’s boys won their seventh consecutive game Saturday night with a 60-45 win over Lutheran.

The Trailblazers bench players played a key role for the second straight night as DJ Willis, Noah Cortez and Peter Morales scored 13 of University’s 15 second quarter points as Max McComb battled foul trouble.

Trailing 15-6 midway through the first quarter, University scored the last four points of the first quarter on buckets by McComb and Cooper Cammack.   The Blazers came out on fire in the second quarter scoring the first ten points to take a 20-15 lead.  Cortez hit a three after a Blake Gray block.  Willis scored in the lane to tie the score before Morales hit a three pointer from the left corner off a Cortez assist.  Gray ended the fun with two free throws.  The Saints rallied to lead 23-22 before Willis hit a three pointer for the 25-23 halftime lead – one University did not relinquish.

University stretched the lead to 40-32 after three quarters with Gray scoring five in the third and McComb adding four.  Lutheran began the fourth quarter by feeding the ball to 6-7, 256 pound RaiShun McHaney for three quick baskets at the rim to pull within 40-38.  Cammack reentered the game with four fouls and held McHaney scoreless for the rest of the game as University slowly pulled away with great defense and timely scoring.

McComb hit a three pointer from the left wing to extend the lead to five and four points from Faisal Mohamud and a basket by Cammack had the lead at 50-40 with three minutes left.  University made 7 of 8 free throws down the stretch to ice the game.  Mohamud has seven of his nine points in the final period.

University coach Justin Blanding was pleased with how his team defended the Saints. “We are playing some good basketball and getting the contributions needed to win big games. What I love the most is that we compete and fight. Lutheran is a really good team and they have two excellent big guys. Cooper Cammack, Zien Bland, and Max McComb did an excellent job guarding them.”

Blanding noted how his team stepped up when McComb picked up his second foul in the first quarter with the Blazers down nine points. “Blake Gray did what I asked him to do on both sides of the ball and it shows what he can do when he’s aggressive. McComb had to sit because we didn’t want him to get his third foul and Blake took over. Peter Morales, Noah Cortez, and DJ Willis have been amazing. We will enjoy this one but have a tough one Monday against Chatard at their place.

Gray led with 14 points and six assists.  McComb had 12 points and Cammack had 13 rebounds and eight points.

University is now 10-6 on the season and play at Bishop Chatard on Monday and will travel to Heritage Christian on Saturday afternoon.