University improved its record to 2-0 Saturday with a 37-27 win over county opponent Guerin Catholic at the U Center.
The Class 2A No. 5 Trailblazers led 13-7 after the first quarter. The Golden Eagles, who were playing their first game of the season, cut that advantage slightly, to 20-16 by halftime. University led 27-21 after three quarters, but Guerin got to within 30-27 with under three minutes remaining.
The ‘Blazers finished the game strong, though, scoring the contest’s last seven points. Kamryn Washington hit a 3-pointer, Jordan Patterson scored off a steal, and Kelsey DuBois made a layin. All three players are sophomores; Patterson and DuBois played varsity for University last season as freshmen.
“They’re learning, they’re doing a good job,” said Trailblazers coach Justin Blanding. “We’re just trying to make sure that we’re giving them all the information and putting them in situations where they have to lead.”
University’s defense did not allow the Golden Eagles to score more than nine points in a quarter. In both of its games this season, University has kept their opponents under 30 points.
“We spend a majority of our practice time on defense because we don’t have the scoring power we’ve had in the past,” said Trailblazers coach Justin Blanding. “Defense is going to win games, and as long as we guard, we’ll be in the conversation to win.”
DuBois finished with a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds. University totaled 40 rebounds, with Payton Seay and Patterson both collecting eight and Hinds pulling seven. Hinds also had five assists and two blocked shots, while DuBois made four steals and had two blocks.
Kathryn Loso led Guerin Catholic with nine points, while Delaney Klee and Olivia Labus both had five.
“Effort is always there for us,” said GC coach Marc Quaranta. “It’s kind of our identity. We’re going to get after it offensively or defensively, we’re going to really just work as hard as we can.”
University hosts Danville on Wednesday, while the Golden Eagles play next Saturday at Greenfield-Central.
UNIVERSITY 37, GUERIN CATHOLIC 27
Guerin Catholic FG FT TP PF
Hannah Weitzel 0 0-0 0 0
Mia Thompson 1 0-0 2 1
Delaney Klee 2 0-0 5 1
Kathryn Loso 4 1-5 9 4
Olivia Labus 2 1-4 5 2
Katie Koger 0 3-6 3 0
Megan Cobb 0 0-0 0 0
Natalie Fernandez 1 1-1 3 2
Totals 10 6-16 27 10
Guerin Catholic 3-pointers (1) Klee 1.
University FG FT TP PF
Kelsey DuBois 8-13 1-3 17 3
Sierra Hinds 3-13 1-4 7 3
Kamryn Washington 1-5 0-0 3 2
Payton Seay 1-12 1-3 3 3
Jordan Patterson 3-10 0-1 7 1
Abby Hannon 0-0 0-0 0 1
Totals 16-53 3-11 37 13
University 3-point shooting (2-16) Patterson 1-5, Washington 1-2, Hinds 0-7, Seay 0-2.
University rebounds (40) DuBois 13, Seay 8, Patterson 8, Hinds 7, Washington 3, Hannon 1.
Score by Quarters
Guerin Catholic 7 9 5 6 – 27
University 13 7 7 10 – 37