The University boys went on the road Tuesday and scored a 78-46 win over Traders Point Christian Academy. The Class 2A No. 13 Trailblazers improved to 9-3 with the win.
Max Greenamoyer had 16 points, Larry Pierce scored 14 and Sam Mervis and Jacob Sager scored 12 each for University.
The Trailblazers started slow, trailing 13-10 midway through the first quarter before finding their defensive energy and running off 13 straight points to take control. Pierce started the run with a rebound basket before putting University on top to stay with a steal and lay-in. Joe Martin had a basket and free throw for a 17-13 lead. Mervis found Sager for an easy bucket at the rim before Pierce scored again. Sager capped the University run of 13 points in two minutes scoring off a nifty feed from Joe Martin. University led 26-15 at the end of the first quarter after a deep 3-pointer by Greenamoyer, his third of the opening period.
University was held scoreless for nearly four minutes to start the second quarter as the Knights crept with 26-20. Mervis got the ‘Blazers on the board in the second with a 3-pointer. A basket by Martin and another by Sager off a Pierce assist put University up 33-22.
University blew the game open in the last two minutes of the half. Mervis came up with a steal and found Pierce streaking ahead of the pack for a one-handed dunk. Mervis quickly made another steal, leading to a Greenamoyer lay-in. Pierce had a steal and found Mervis for an easy basket before a Pierce rebound put University up 41-22. A late 3 by the Knights made the score 41-25 at the half.
The Trailblazers defense held Traders Point scoreless for the first six minutes of the third quarter, opening up a 53-25 advantage and University coasted home. After allowing 13 points in the first four minutes, University allowed just 12 points in the next 18 minutes.
“I was happy with our second half defensive effort,” said University coach Brandon Lafferman.”Larry (Pierce) brought us a lot of energy off the bench.” In addition to his career high in points, the 6-3 sophomore had a team high six rebounds and four assists.
Mervis played another strong game, having 10 assists and seven steals to go with his 12 points. Martin and Greenamoyer had three assists each as University had 24 assists on 33 made field goals.
Derek Mount led Traders Point with a game-high 27 points.
University will host Indianapolis Tindley Friday night at The U Center.
UNIVERSITY 78, TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN 46
University FG FT TP PF
Sam Mervis 5-6 0-0 12 2
Max Greenamoyer 6-10 0-0 16 2
Camden Brown 1-2 0-2 2 1
Jacob Sager 6-7 0-2 12 1
Joe Martin 2-11 3-3 7 2
Aaron Stallings 0-2 0-0 0 1
Larry Pierce 7-9 0-1 14 1
Faizan Eskar 2-2 0-0 4 4
Matt Jones 3-4 0-0 8 0
Kasey Ash-Simpson 0-1 0-2 0 0
Nate Jeffrey 1-1 0-0 3 0
Mitchell Martin 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 33-55 3-10 78 14
Score by Quarters
University 26 15 19 18 – 78
Traders Point 15 10 5 16 – 46
University 3-point shooting (9-22) Greenamoyer 4-8, Mervis 2-3, Jones 2-3, Jeffrey 1-1, J. Martin 0-3, Stallings 0-1, Ash-Simpson 0-2, Pierce 0-1, Brown 0-1.
University rebounds (22) Pierce 6, Mervis 4, J. Martin 3, Stallings 2, Greenamoyer 2, Brown 2, Sager 2, Jones 1.