Andre Ozlowski’s basket with 32 seconds remaining gave the University boys a thrilling 53-52 road win over Class 2A No. 16 Covenant Christian.
University held the Warriors scoreless for the last 3:52 of the game and forced a turnover with 42 seconds remaining to get the ball back. After a timeout, University sophomore Sabien Cain, who scored a game-high 28 points, drove the lane. The Covenant Christian defense collapsed on Cain and he dished to Ozlowksi who was all alone on the left block.
Covenant Christian ran the clock down to 16 seconds before calling timeout and set up a play to get the ball to Brock Buckley, who led the Warriors with 21 points. Cain had tremendous defense on Buckley and received help from Nate Jeffrey and Seth Hogg to force an off balance shot that did not get to the rim. The ball bounced out to Covenant Christian’s Wyatt Wash who got off a three pointer that was blocked by Cain as the horn sounded setting off a Trailblazer celebration.
University came out on fire, racing to a 23-11 lead after the first quarter. Cain had 14 points in the opening period, including four three pointers. University stretched their lead to 28-11 in the first 45 seconds of the second quarter before the Warriors tightened up their defense. The Trailblazers still led 32-22 with 3:10 left when Larry Pierce scored off an assist from Jeffrey. The Warriors scored the least ten points of the half to knot the count at 32 at halftime.
Covenant Christian took the lead at 34-32 on a Buckley steal and layin. The Warriors stretched their lead to 42-37 in the middle of the third quarter before Cain drilled a three pointer then completed an old fashioned three point play for a 43-42 University lead. Covenant Christian added two foul shots and led 44-43 after three.
Pierce put University back in front one minute in to the final quarter off a Robert Russell steal. The Warriors scored the next five points before a Ozlowski bucket with 5:10 left pulled the Blazers within 49-47. Wash hit a three pointer for Covenant Christian with 3:52 left to put the Warriors up 52-47.
Pierce split a pair of foul shots with 3:41 left and Covenant Christian went to a delay game. The Warriors would not score again. The Trailblazers forced multiple turnovers and Cain hit another three pointer with 1:39 left to cut the lead to 52-51. University’s pressure defense forced an errant Warrior pass with 42 seconds left to set up the winning sequence.
University coach Brandon Lafferman was excited to have a full compliment of players and pleased with his team’s defense. “This is the first time we’ve had all 9 varsity players on the bench since Greenwood Christian (Dec. 4). It was an awesome game and I’m proud of my guys. This is a difficult place to play. I’m thrilled we came out of here with a win. I’m really proud of Sabien Cain. I thought on top of his offense performance, he really showed toughness and played phenomenal defense. He got his teammate involved at the end of the game to help us close it out.”
Cain had seven three pointers as part of his 28-point outburst. Pierce had 11 points and Ozlowski seven.
The Sectional 42 rivals each have an 8-6 record. University will face another ranked team their next time out as the Blazers host Class 3A No. 5 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard Wednesday night at The U Center.
UNIVERSITY 53, COVENANT CHRISTIAN 52
University FG FT TP PF
Kahmi Bracey 1 0-0 3 2
Robert Russell 0 2-2 2 1
Sabien Cain 10 1-2 28 2
Andre Ozlowski 3 0-0 7 0
Larry Pierce 5 1-2 11 1
Bryce Gray 0 0-0 0 0
Nate Jeffrey 1 0-0 2 0
Seth Hogg 0 0-0 0 1
Steven Scott 0 0-0 0 1
Totals 20 4-6 53 8
Score by Quarters
University 23 9 11 10 – 53
Covenant 11 21 12 8 – 52
University 3-pointers (9) Cain 7, Bracey 1, Ozlowski 1.