Junior Kahmi Bracey scored a career-high 19 points to spark the University boys to a 60-40 win at Traders Point Christian Academy Saturday night.
The Trailblazers outscored Traders Point 22-9 in the decisive third quarter to take control of the game. Bracey made three of his give three pointers in the third quarter as University turned a 26-21 halftime lead in to a 48-30 advantage after the third quarter.
University got off to a slow start, falling behind 8-3 before Bracey ignited a Trailblazer rally with a steal and layin. Bryce Gray followed with a basket and Bracey put in a rebound at the buzzer and University trailed just 10-9 after the first quarter.
The teams traded the lead throughout the second quarter before five University points in the last minute. Again it was Gray and Bracey with the baskets, including a Bracey three pointer from the left wing as time expired.
The Knights cut the lead to two early in the third quarter before University took over. Bracey hit a three pointer and Gray scored for a seven-point lead. Nate Jeffrey scored on a put back and Andre Ozlowski hit from the lane for a 35-26 lead. After a Traders Point foul shot, Seth Hogg found a cutting Larry Pierce for an easy basket and a Steven Scott rebound bucket put University up 12. Two more Bracey three pointers, a Pierce basket and Ozlowski foul shot closed out the Blazers scoring the third.
University coach Brandon Lafferman was pleased with how his team responded in the second half. “Traders Point played us really well, especially in the first half. I was proud of my team and how we responded in the second half. We made a few adjustments on how we wanted to play and I thought it really paid off. Kahmi Bracey was fantastic and so was Bryce Gray. I thought both of them played their best games of the season for us.”
University is now 5-2 on the season. The Trailblazers have a big Pioneer Conference North game Monday night when they host 7-1 Seton Catholic at The U Center.
UNIVERSITY 60, TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN 40
University FG FT TP PF
Nate Jeffrey 3 0-0 6 1
Robert Russell 0 1-2 1 2
Andre Ozlowski 3 1-2 7 2
Larry Pierce 2 4-5 8 1
Seth Hogg 2 1-2 7 5
Bryce Gray 4 0-0 8 0
Kahmi Bracey 6 2-2 19 2
Steven Scott 1 0-0 2 1
Jackson Bledsoe 0 0-0 0 0
Eli Facey 1 0-0 2 0
Totals 22 9-13 60 14
Score by Quarters
University 9 17 22 12 – 60
Traders Point 10 11 9 10 – 40
University 3-pointers (7) Bracey 5, Hogg 2.