The REPORTER
University snapped a two-game losing streak Friday, Feb. 13 with a 77-61 road win over Shortridge in the Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference third-place game.
Junior Joshua Henderson’s 21-point, 11-rebound effort led a balanced University attack. Seniors Faisal Mohamud (15), Josh McGee (13) and Blake Gray (12) also reached double figures.
The Trailblazers led 19-15 after a tight first quarter. Gray led University with nine points in the quarter making three of University’s four three pointers in the period. Noah Cortez’ three pointer with 52 seconds left broke a 15-15 tie and put the Blazers on top for good.
Shortridge cut the lead to 21-19 with 5:27 left in the quarter with an offensive rebound bucket, giving the Blue Devils 12 second chance points in the first 11 minutes. University coach Justinn Blanding called timeout and the Trailblazers responded and stretched their lead to 32-25 at halftime. A 8-2 closing run was punctuated by a Cooper Cammack layin with one second left off a Cortez assist.
University jumped out to a 38-29 lead early in the third quarter when Mohamud scored at the rim after a pass ahead by Gray. The play started with one of Henderson’s three blocked shots. Shortridge scored the next five points but the Trailblazers took control of the game by outscoring the Blue Devils 14-4 the rest of the quarter. Mohamud’s three pointer from the left corner started the spurt. Henderson scored University’s last 11 points of the quarter to put his team ahead 52-38 after three quarters. Henderson scored on a fast break, a three pointer from the corner, two free throws off an offensive rebound, a foul shot and a three-point play.
The Trailblazers maintained a double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter, making seven of eight free throws. McGee had nine points and Henderson seven as University comfortably closed out the win.
Seven different Trailblazers made three pointers in the game. Gray hit four triples with Mohamud and Henderson adding two each. McGee, Cortez, DJ Willis and Peter Morales each had one.
Mohamud made five of seven field goal attempts and handed out five assists. Cammack had eight rebounds and McGee pulled down seven. Cortez had four assists and Jaxen Bennett blocked three shots.
University improved to 13-6 on the season. The Trailblazers return to action Tuesday at Westfield in an all-county contest.