The REPORTER
Max McComb led four players in double figures as the University boys picked up their eighth consecutive win Monday, 77-71 at Bishop Chatard.
McComb had 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting. Sophomore Peter Morales made a trio of three pointers on his way to 15 points. Juniors Faisal Mohamud and Blake Gray added 13 points each.
A 12-2 run over the last three minutes of the first quarter was decisive as University took a lead they maintained throughout the game. Trailing 12-11 Mohamud made a three pointer from the right corner to put University ahead. A fast break basket by Noah Cortez added two more as McComb made a steal, outletted to Gray who found a streaking Cortez for a layin. After a McComb basket, defense got the Blazers another two points when McComb had a steal and found Morales for two. McComb finished off an eight-point first quarter with a three-point play with 8.7 seconds remaining and University led 23-14 after one.
University led by as many as 12 points in the second quarter but a late Chatard run cut the lead to 36-30 at halftime. Morales had eight and McComb five during the second.
The Trailblazers pushed the lead out to 11 in the third quarter but the Trojans rallied to within four before Morales hit a big three pointer with six seconds left to give University a 54-47 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Chatard never got closer than five points in the fourth quarter and the University lead bounced from eight to 12 points for most of the period. The Blazers led 75-63 with a minute left before a late Chatard rally made the final margin six points. Gray and McComb each had seven points in the closing stanza.
University shot a blistering 61.2 percent from the field and had 22 assists on 30 made field goals. “We continue to play great basketball. Our offense is flowing really well and we are sharing the ball,” said coach Justin Blanding.
“Our defense was great at times but we had some lapses. We felt some calls started to go in their favor every time we would go on a huge run. I’m proud of the boys for keeping their composure during adversity. This was a great win for us,” Blanding continued.
Coach Blanding is looking forward to the rest of the week and such much needed practice after the Blazers played three games in four days. “We need to have a good week of practice and get ready for a really good Heritage Christian team.”
University improved to 11-6 and will travel to Heritage Christian Saturday afternoon for a matchup with the Eagles. Junior varsity action tips off at 1 p.m.
