The University boys won their fifth consecutive Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference North division championship Tuesday night with a 51-39 win over Muncie Burris at historic Ball Memorial Gymnasium.
Camden Brown had 13 points to lead the Trailblazers while Matt Jones and Mitchell Martin also reached double figures with 10 points each. Kasey Ash-Simpson had nine points including four key free throws down the stretch. Sabien Cain had six points in the decisive third quarter.
University was playing its first game in 18 days and the ‘Blazers started slow. University never led in the first half, falling behind 15-7 after the first quarter as the Owls scored the last seven points of the period. Ash-Simpson had a three pointer in the opening quarter and Martin and Brown had one basket each.
The Trailblazers began clawing back in the game in the second quarter. A Seth Hogg three pointer off a pass from Kahmi Bracey and a Martin bucket cut the lead to 15-13. Jones had University’s last five points of the half. Martin and Robert Russell assisted on Jones’ two baskets. Burris led 23-19 at the half.
The teams traded baskets to open the third quarter before University went on a 14-3 run to take control of the game. Brown scored on a rebound to cut the lead to 25-23 before Cain tied the game. University took the lead on a fast break basket that began with Brown blocking a Burris shot. Cain fed Martin for the lay-in that put the Blazers ahead to stay. Cain continued his stellar play with a steal and lay-in and then found Jones for an easy two points and a 31-25 lead. After the Owls hit a deep three pointer, Jones and Cain scored to put University up 35-30 after three quarters.
University built the lead to 39-30 early in the fourth quarter when Brown split two foul shots and Martin connected for two. Ash-Simpson answered a Burris basket with a driving layin. Brown had consecutive baskets for a 45-36 University lead. Ash-Simpson (4-for-4) and Brown (2-for-2) were perfect from the foul line in the last 30 seconds to make the final 51-39.
The win was the Trailblazers’ 22nd consecutive PAAC North win. University will be trying for their fourth consecutive PAAC championship when they host Greenwood Christian Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. University spoiled Greenwood Christian’s undefeated season last year in the PAAC title game with a 48-47 win. The Cougars gained some revenge early this season with a 57-51 win at The U Center on Dec. 4.
The 10-4 Blazers have a busy week, hosting Anderson Prep Academy on Thursday and travelling to Victory College Prep on Friday. Burris falls to 5-7 on the season.
UNIVERSITY 51, MUNCIE BURRIS 39
University FG FT TP PF
Kasey Ash-Simpson 2 4-5 9 1
Nate Jeffrey 0 0-0 0 1
Sabien Cain 3 0-0 6 1
Matt Jones 4 0-1 10 2
Camden Brown 5 3-4 13 2
Mitchell Martin 4 0-1 10 1
Seth Hogg 1 0-0 3 2
Kahmi Bracey 0 0-0 0 2
Adam Witzman 0 0-0 0 0
Rob Russell 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 19 7-11 51 12
Score by Quarters
University 7 12 16 16 – 51
Burris 15 8 7 9 – 39
University 3-pointers (6) Jones 2, Martin 2, Ash-Simpson 1, Hogg 1.