The REPORTER
University opened play in Sectional 42 at Park Tudor with a come from behind 56-46 win over Covenant Christian.
The Trailblazers trailed 22-17 at halftime but used increased defensive intensity and improved shot selection to outscore the Warriors 39-24 after the break. University made 15 of 20 field goal attempts in the second half, including their only three-point attempt.
Senior Max McComb scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead four Trailblazers in double figures. Junior Blake Gray and Faisal Mohamud had 11 points each and sophomore Josh Henderson came off the bench to score 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
Blake Gray had 11 points for University. (Julie Brown)
University made just four field goals in the first half on 17 attempts. Blake Gray scored nine points in the first half to help keep the Blazers close.
Faisal Mohamud pulled University within two on a three-point play to start the second half, but the Warriors pushed the lead back out to 29-23 with 3:41 to go in the quarter. Mohamud scored again to start an 8-0 University run. McComb made two free throws then Zien Bland had a steal and layin to knot the game at 29. The Blazers took their first lead since 5-4 when Henderson scored on a reverse layin. Covenant Christian retook the lead at 32-31 on a three-point play before Bland put University ahead for good with 1:05 left. McComb made the advantage 35-32 at the end of three when he rebounded his own miss for a basket.
After the Warriors made two foul shots to open the fourth quarter, University put the game away with a 16-2 run over the next six minutes. Mohamud made a field goal before McComb’s three-point play gave University their first two possession lead at 40-34. After a Covenant Christian score University ran off the next 11 points. McComb made a three pointer before University executed a pair of inbound plays perfectly. Mohamud triggered inbound plays to McComb and Henderson for layins and a 47-36 lead. Henderson scored off a McComb assist and then Gray stole the ball and threw it ahead to Henderson for a dunk that ended all hope for the Warriors at 51-36 with 1:47 left.
McComb finished with eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Henderson had five rebounds and blocked four shots.
University improved to 15-9 with the win. Covenant Christian ends their season with a 14-9 mark.
The Trailblazers advance to face Monrovia in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday night. University defeated the Bulldogs 51-37 in January.
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