The University Trailblazers held the International School of Indiana Gryphons to just a single point over a nine and a half minute stretch in the second half to rally for a 56-44 win.
University outscored International 24-1 in that stretch, turning a 34-28 deficit into a 52-35 advantage before the Gryphons hit their first field goal of the fourth quarter with 1:34 remaining in the game.
Foster Flamion came off the bench to score 11 of his team high 15 points in the 24-1 run. University Coach Brandon Lafferman was please with Flamion’s effort. “I thought Foster gave us a huge spark tonight at both ends of the floor. His energy was contagious and got the team going after a slow start.”
David Howard had 14 points for University, including 6-of-6 at the charity stripe. Josh Watson had nine points, all in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 34-28 the University comeback started with David Howard hitting a pair of free throws. Zach Hodgin drove the lane for his only basket of the night before two Flamion free throws knotted the score at 34 with 1:35 remaining in the third. The Trailblazers took the lead for good when Flamion was fouled on an offensive rebound and made the first of two free throws. Howard rebounded Flamion’s miss and was fouled and made both foul shots for a 37-34 lead at the end of the third quarter.
University ratcheted up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter, coming away with steals on the first three Gryphon possessions of the quarter. Watson had a steal and full court drive for a lay-in before Watson stole the ball again and fed Flamion for a three pointer. A Flamion free throw off the final steal gave University a 43-34 lead and they were not challenged again.
The Trailblazers had 10 steals on the night and forced 17 International turnovers. Emerson Halbleib, Hodgin, Waston and Flamion each had two steals.
University handed out 15 assists on 19 baskets. Watson had a team high five assists. The Trailblazers also won the rebounding battle 19-15. Hodgin had eight caroms, while Flamion had three offensive rebounds as University had seven offensive rebounds and limited International to just one second chance opportunity.
The Trailblazers improve to 10-7 on the season, while International falls to 9-9.
University now holds a 12-0 edge over International in the all-time series.
University is next in action Friday night at Covenant Christian.
University 56, International 44
University FG FT TP PF
Foster Flamion 4-6 6-8 15 1
David Howard 4-8 6-6 14 1
Josh Watson 3-7 2-2 9 3
Ethan Sickels 3-5 0-0 8 1
Emerson Halbleib 2-3 0-0 4 3
Josh Alford 2-5 0-0 4 1
Zach Hodgin 1-5 0-1 2 4
Tyler Wott 0-0 0-0 0 1
Kaden Edwards 0-0 0-0 0 0
Ben Glazier 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 19-39 14-17 56 15
Score by Quarters
University 13 9 15 19 – 56
International 13 12 9 10 – 44
University 3-point shooting (4-12) Sickels 2-3, Watson 1-3, Flamion 1-2, Howard 0-2, Alford 0-2.
University rebounds (19) Hodgin 8, Flamion 4, Howard 3, Alford 3, Watson 1.