By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – University dropped its first game of the season Wednesday, falling to a tough Danville team 57-48 at the U Center.
The Warriors led for most of the first half, and held a 17-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Payton Seay kept the Class 2A No. 3 Trailblazers in the game, scoring six points, and her layin had University within 12-10 late in the period, before Danville put in five points to end the quarter.
Freshman Keira Bright opened the second period with a 3-pointer, to cut the Warriors lead to 17-13. Danville still was ahead 26-19 midway the quarter, but the ‘Blazers went on a big run, outscoring the Warriors 12-2 for a 31-28 lead. Bright and DuBois both scored five points, including another 3 for Bright, while Seay added four points.
Danville scored a last-second layin to stay within 31-30 at halftime. University controlled most of the third quarter, eventually leading 41-34. DuBois was dominant during that time, with eight points, including a pair of putbacks.
But the Warriors started a run during the last minute of the period, getting within 41-39 going into the fourth quarter. Seay opened the fourth with a layin, but Danville took control of the entire period by making a 15-3 run. The Warriors were able to run things out from there.
University coach Justin Blanding was blunt after the game: “We’re just not tough enough,” he said. The Warriors had several steals during the game and made five putbacks, scattering them throughout the game.
“They got to fix it, or there’s going to be a lot of this,” said Blanding. “There’s a difference between playing and competing and we didn’t compete. When you compete, you’re tough.”
Three Trailblazers reached double figures. Seay scored 19 points, DuBois had 15 and Bright added 12 points. DuBois pulled 14 rebounds to reach double-double status and also handed out five assists. Seay collected nine rebounds, while Patterson had five assists and four rebounds.
University is back in action next Tuesday when it plays at Cathedral, the first of a six-game road stretch.
DANVILLE 57, UNIVERSITY 48
Danville FG FT TP PF
Kelsey DuBois 6-11 3-5 15 5
Keira Bright 3-8 4-5 12 2
Kamryn Washington 1-4 0-0 2 1
Payton Seay 9-24 1-2 19 1
Jordan Patterson 0-1 0-0 0 1
Alex Feeney 0-2 0-0 0 1
Anyah Jordan-Turley 0-0 0-0 0 2
Totals 19-50 8-12 48 13
Score by Quarters
Danville 17 13 9 18 – 57
University 10 21 10 7 – 48
University 3-point shooting (2-12): Bright 2-5, Seay 0-6, DuBois 0-1.
University rebounds (32) DuBois 14, Seay 9, Patterson 4, Bright 2, Washington 2, Feeney 1.