THE REPORTER
The University boys improved to 15-1 on the season after three big wins last week.
First, the Trailblazers scored an impressive 67-51 win at Bishop Chatard last Tuesday, pulling away from a two-point game early in the fourth quarter to close the contest on a 23-9 run.
Sabien Cain led University with 24 points and a team-high six rebounds. The Trailblazers had four players in double figures with Kahmi Bracey (13 points), Andre Ozlowski (12) and Seth Hogg (10) pacing the way.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair with University taking the lead at 12-11 with 50 seconds left when Bracey stole the ball and converted a traditional three-point play. University never trailed in the game.
The teams started slow in the second quarter. The only points scored in the first three minutes of the period were a pair of traditional three-point plays by Cain. The Blazers scored nine points in the last 1:45 of the half to turn a 19-14 lead in to a 28-16 halftime advantage. Bracey started the run before Hogg scored the last seven points of the half including a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the right sideline.
Chatard scored 23 points in the period to pull within 41-39 when Kenny Roseman hit an off balance three pointer at the buzzer. Cain converted another three-point play early in the fourth off some great ball movement that saw Bryce Gray feed Ozlowski who found Cain at the rim. Chatard answered with a three pointer to pull within 44-42 with 7:20 left but it was all Blazers after that.
Bracey had a team-high four steals while Cain, Ozlowski, Bracey and Gray each handed out three assists. University shot 25 of 51 from the field.
University used a 24-point third quarter to break open a two-point halftime game on their way to a 61-52 win over Traders Point Christian Academy last Thursday at The U Center.
The Blazers led 26-24 at halftime and held a 30-26 advantage in the third quarter before exploding for 20 points in the last five minutes of the quarter to take a 50-34 lead. Hogg hit a pair of three pointers in the quarter while Ozlowski added six. Rob Russell closed the quarter with a 35-foot three pointer at the buzzer.
University maintained a double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter, leading by 15 with two minutes left before the Knights closed fast with a TJ Robinson three pointer pulling the Knights with nine at the final buzzer.
Russell scored eight first quarter points and Cain had seven as University built a 15-7 lead and led 17-12 at the end of one period on a Steven Scott rebound bucket as time expired. The Blazers maintained an advantage throughout the second quarter, with Ozlowksi scoring seven points in the period.
Cain had a game-high 18 points for University and four rebounds and four steals. Russell had a season-high 15 points and three rebounds. Ozlowski totaled 13 points. Bracey had team highs with five rebounds and four steals.
The University boys survived a ferocious fourth quarter comeback effort from Heritage Christian to escape with a 38-36 road win over the Eagles last Saturday in a physical defensive slugfest.
The Trailblazers were led by their dynamic duo of Cain and Ozlowski. Cain had a game-high 17 points while Ozlowski posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Ozlowksi had a big fourth quarter with eight points.
University never trailed in the game, leading 7-2 after the first quarter and 16-11 at halftime. Cain had eight points at halftime. The Blazers began to stretch the lead in the third quarter with Cain scoring seven points in the stanza, including a three pointer with 36 seconds left to give University a 27-20 lead after three.
Ozlowski opening the fourth quarter scoring off an assist from Bracey, then throwing down a two handed dunk off a great feed from Zien Bland to give University a 31-20 lead. The Blazers still led by 11 at 33-22 with five minutes left when the Eagles began their comeback.
After Heritage Christian pulled within 33-27, Ozlowski stemmed the tide with a high-flying tip in with 2:40 left. The Eagles pulled within 35-31 before Ozlowski scored again on an offensive rebound for a 37-31 lead with 1:05 left. Nolan Duncan scored for the Eagles with 48 seconds. After a University turnover Cole Louden hit a three pointer for his only points of the game to cut the Trailblazer lead to 37-36.
Bracey made the front end of a one and one with 21 seconds left to give the Blazers a 38-36 lead. University’s defense stiffened and Heritage Christian missed two three pointers in the final four seconds and the Blazers won for the 15th time in 16 games.
“I’m really proud of my guys” said Lafferman. “We competed hard against a very physical team, we got on the floor after balls and came away with a big road win”
Andrew Wiggins led Heritage Christian with 12 points while Purdue recruit Myles Colvin had ten points, including two rim-rattling dunks.
The Blazers are next in action Tuesday night when they host LaLumiere Blue at The U Center, then host a Pioneer Conference playoff game Saturday afternoon.