In a Tuesday battle of Top 5 teams, Class 1A No. 3 University broke away in the fourth quarter for a 67-54 win over Class 2A No. 5 Heritage Christian.
Four Trailblazers scored in double figures. Sam Mervis led the way with 16 points. Joe Martin had 14, Max Greenamoyer 12 on four triples and Nate Shatkowski had 10.
The game was a back and forth affair befitting the rankings for three quarters bfeore University took command in the fourth quarter by getting stops defensively and making free throws down the stretch.
“Any time you play Heritage you are going against a well coached, tough defensive team. We are thrilled to get out of here with the win” said University Coach Brandon Lafferman. “I’m happy with second half effort, focus and determination to pull out a tough win.”
The team traded baskets throughout the first quarter with the Eagles holding a 14-11 advantage after one. Greenamoyer hit two three pointers in the quarter to keep the Blazers close. The Eagles scored the first basket of the second quarter for their largest lead of the night at 16-11. Steiner hit a three pointer from the left corner before Shatkowski scored nine consecutive points for the Blazers on a three pointer and three nifty drives to the lane. “Nate Shatkowski was fantastic off the bench for us tonight” noted Lafferman.
The Eagles rallied to tie the game at 25 halftime. Neither team led by more than four in the third quarter. University tied the game at 43 when Martin found Jacob Sager for a layin with two seconds left in the period.
The Eagles split a pair of free throws to take their lsast lead of the night at 44-43. A Mervis three point play on a driving lay-in and foul shot started an eight point University run. Martin came up with a steal that started a fast break with great ball movement. Martin pushed the ball ahead to Shatkowski, who dumped the ball inside to Sager, who kicked the ball to the corner for a Steiner three pointer that put University up 49-44. Mervis scored again for a 51-44 advantage. After five Heritage Christian points, Mervis drove the lane again for a basket. “Sam Mervis did a great job tonight closing out the game with his ball handling and free throws” said Lafferman.
The fourth quarter onslaught continued when Martin fed Greenamoyer for his fourth three pointer of the game. Greenamoyer then received a pass under the basket and fed to a cutting Brown for an easy lay-in and a 58-52 lead. Heritage Christian kept putting the Blazers on the line in the last 90 seconds. Mervis went five for seven at the line down the stretch and Martin was perfect four for four.
University outrebounded the Eagles 22-17. Shatkowski had a team high seven caroms. Martin has six rebounds and three assists while Mervis had five rebounds and five assists to go with his team high scoring total.
University is next in action Thursday night when it hosts Indianapolis Shortridge in the PAAC championship game. The Blazers will honor Coach Lafferman for his 100th career win last week at International and will recognize University’s regional champion girls team that will play Vincennes Rivet in the semi-state Saturday.
University 67, Heritage Christian 54
University FG FT TP PF
Sam Mervis 5-8 6-8 16 4
Max Greenamoyer 4-7 0-0 12 2
Camden Brown 2-3 1-2 5 2
Joe Martin 4-7 4-4 14 1
Eric Major 0-0 0-0 0 0
Quinn Steiner 2-4 0-0 6 2
Nate Shatkowski 4-6 1-2 10 0
Jacob Sager 2-2 0-0 4 3
Korey Ash-Simpson 0-0 0-0 0 0
Eyal Friedman 0-0 0-0 0 0
Matt Jones 0-0 0-0 0 0
Faizan Eskar 0-0 0-0 0 0
Larry Pierce 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 23-37 8-16 67 14
Score by Quarters
University 11 14 18 24 – 67
Heritage Christian 14 11 18 11 – 54
University 3-point shooting (9-17) Greenamoyer 4-7, Steiner 2-4, Martin 2-3, Shatkowski 1-3.
University rebounds (22) Shatkowski 7, Martin 6, Mervis 5, Brown 3, Greenamoyer 1.