THE REPORTER
University’s boys jumped out to an 18-1 lead after the first quarter and cruised to a 52-24 win at Shenandoah on Tuesday night.
Andre Ozlowski and Sabien Cain each had 15 points to lead the Class 2A No. 8 Trailblazers to their ninth win in 10 games.
University jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead on baskets by Robert Russell, Ozlowski and Kahmi Bracey before Bryce Gray made a three pointer from the top of the key. After the Raiders got on the board with a free throw with 4:35 left in the quarter, a pair of three pointers from Zien Bland and one from Ozlowski finished out the first quarter scoring.
Cain’s steal and layin to start the second quarter pushed the lead to 20-1 before AJ Demick made the first field goal of the night for Shenandoah. Cain exploded for 13 points in the period and the Trailblazers eventually built a 36-6 lead on tip-in bucket by the 5-6 Gray over a pair of Raiders. University led 36-8 at halftime and substituted liberally throughout the second half.
Bracey and Gray led University with five rebounds each. Bracey added five assists and four steals. Cain had four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.
Coach Brandon Lafferman was happy with the Blazers performance as they start a busy week. “I am really proud of the team. Road wins are always good. Shenandoah always puts a good product on the floor. We’ve challenged the guys to win three road games this week. I thought we had one of our better first half performances of the year. We shot the ball well, our energy was great. I thought our defensive pressure was as good as it has been all season.”
The Blazers are next in action Friday night at Muncie Burris in a varsity only contest that tips at 7 p.m. A win Friday night would clinch the Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference North Division championship for University and put the five time defending league champions in the Feb. 11 championship game at The U Center.
UNIVERSITY 52, SHENANDOAH 24
University FG FT TP PF
Bryce Gray 2 0-0 5 2
Kahmi Bracey 1 2-2 4 4
Robert Russell 1 0-0 2 1
Sabien Cain 6 0-0 15 4
Andre Ozlowski 7 0-0 15 1
Zien Bland 2 1-2 7 0
Steven Scott 0 0-2 0 0
Jackson Bledsoe 1 0-0 3 0
Cooper Cammack 0 0-0 0 2
David Walz 0 0-0 0 0
Eli Facey 0 1-2 1 0
Totals 20 4-8 52 14
Score by Quarters
University 18 18 11 5 – 52
University 3-pointers (8) Cain 3, Bland 2, Gray, Bledsoe, Facey.