University began Sectional 58 play Tuesday night with an easy 71-23 win over The Indiana School For The Deaf at the U Center.
The defending champion Trailblazers were never challenged in the game, scoring the first seven points and leading 17-5 after the first quarter. The opening period was unusual for University in what did not happen. The Trailblazers are one of the leading three point shooting teams in the state, however they did not make a three pointer in the opening period. Eric Major (six) and Korey Ash-Simpson (four) came off the bench to lead University in scoring in the first quarter. University forced 10 ISD turnovers in the opening stanza.
Max Greenamoyer got University’s three point barrage going in the second quarter, hitting four triples in the period. Greenamoyer scored the Blazers last nine points of the quarter, hitting his final three pointer with one second on the clock to send University to the locker room with a 35-10 advantage. Joe Martin had seven first half assists. The Orioles committed seven more turnovers in the second quarter.
Greenamoyer hit two more quick three pointers to open the second half, giving him a team high 20 points on the night. The 6-0 junior sharpshooter went to the bench for the night along with the rest of University’s starters with more than four minutes remaining in the third period.
All 12 University players saw significant minutes and 10 players scored. Major was the only other player in double figures with 13 points. He also pulled down a team high nine rebounds as University outrebounded ISD 34-10. The Trailblazers had good ball movement, registering 22 assists on 29 made field goals. Martin handed out eight helpers with Sam Mervis adding six.
University advances to the Sectional semi-finals Friday night against Bethesda Christian, who drew the bye. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. in the opening game of a doubleheader. Friday’s nightcap will have the winners of Wednesday’s games between International and Metropolitan and Indiana Math & Science versus Traders Point Christian Academy
The Trailblazers, who finished fifth in the final Class 1A Associated Press poll are now 20-4 while the Orioles bow out at 8-16.
University 71, Indiana Deaf 23
University FG FT TP PF
Sam Mervis 2-3 0-0 4 1
Max Greenamoyer 7-13 0-0 20 0
Jacob Sager 1-4 1-2 3 1
Nate Shatkowski 0-5 0-0 0 1
Joe Martin 3-7 0-0 6 1
Quinn Steiner 2-6 0-0 6 1
Eyal Friedman 1-2 0-0 2 2
Eric Major 6-7 1-1 13 3
Korey Ash-Simpson 3-4 0-0 6 1
Larry Pierce 2-4 0-0 5 3
Faizan Eskar 0-1 0-0 0 0
Matt Jones 2-2 0-0 6 1
Totals 29-58 2-3 71 15
Score by Quarters
University 17 18 21 15 – 71
Indiana Deaf 5 5 6 7 – 23
University 3-point shooting (11-28) Greenamoyer 6-12, Steiner 2-6, Jones 2-2, Pierce 1-2, Shatkowski 0-3, Martin 0-1, Mervis 0-1, Friedman 0-1.
University rebounds (34) Major 9, Martin 5, Mervis 4, Sager 3, Friedman 3, Greenamoyer 2, Ash-Simpson 2, Shatkowski 2, Eskar 2, Jones 1, Pierce 1.