The REPORTER
The University girls dropped a defensive slugfest Tuesday night at The U Center, falling 34-29 to Brebeuf Jesuit.
Brebeuf scored the last five points of the game and made three of four foul shots in the last 31 seconds to put the game away. The teams combined for just four field goals in the second and third quarter.
The Trailblazers held a 9-8 first quarter lead when Leah Norvell scored off a Mack Feeney assist, but then went scoreless for the next seven minutes. University scored just three foul shots in the second quarter, including two by Gabby Culp after time expired and trailed 17-13 at halftime. Brebeuf led 21-19 after three quarters as the teams went scoreless for the last 3:25 after two Sydney Culp charity tosses.
The Blazers trailed 26-21 two minutes into the fourth quarter before running off six straight points to take a 27-26 lead. Sydney Culp scored before Norvell drove the lane for two. Two Norvell free throws gave University the lead with 4:41 left. After a Brebeuf three-pointer put the Braves in front, Sydney Culp scored off an assist from Norvell to knot the score at 29 with 2:25 left. Brebeuf went ahead for good on a rebound basket with 1:06 left before closing out the game at the line.
Norvell had a game-high 10 points. Gabby Culp had nine and Sydney Culp eight. Feeney rounded out the scoring with two points.
University is 3-5 on the season and host defending Sectional 42 champion Monrovia Tuesday at The U Center. Tip time is 6:30 p.m. for the varsity-only contest.
