University won an all-county game in double overtime Tuesday, coming back from a 13-point deficit to beat Westfield 71-67 at the Shamrocks’ CSI Gymnasium.
After trailing 40-27 in the third quarter, the Class 2A No. 5 Trailblazers went on a 15-0 run that lasted well into the fourth quarter. Sabien Cain hit a 3-pointer to give University its first lead of the game at 43-42 with around five minutes left.
The teams were tied at 50-50 by the end of regulation. Sam Bishop started the first overtime with a putback for Westfield, but Cain nailed another 3, then Kahmi Bracey scored off a Cain steal. University led 57-54 after Bryce Gray hit two free throws, but Trey Buchanan drained a 3 to tie the game again at 57-57, and it was on to double overtime.
The Trailblazers never trailed in the second overtime. University started with a Cain basket, then Seth Hogg scored off a steal and layin. The ‘Blazers eventually led 67-60 before Westfield cut it to 67-65. University’s Andre Ozlowski made a dunk, then Westfield’s Alex Romack scored to keep it within two, but Ozlowski sealed the game by making two free throws with 1.9 seconds left.
Westfield’s Sam Bishop scored 25 points for the Shamrocks. (Reporter photo by Richie Hall)
“I just can’t say enough about the effort, the energy, toughness, the desire to win from my entire team,” said Trailblazers coach Brandon Lafferman. “We struggled when we’ve tried to play 4A teams over the years. This is just a huge win for our program at a tough place to play against a very well-coached team that’s always prepared to play.
“Hats off to them. I thought Romack and Bishop made a ton of plays when they really needed them,” said Lafferman. “But proud of my guys. They just found a way and kept making plays. And Sabien, 36 points. He had a huge game for us. And I’m really proud of Bryce Gray and how he finished the game making free throws for us down the stretch. That was huge.”
Although Westfield led through the entire first half, it was tight throughout. The Shamrocks got up by as much as six points twice, but the ‘Blazers got the baskets they needed to stay close. Cain scored 18 points in the first half, including four 3s. Bishop had 13 points for the ‘Rocks, making three 3s, with Romack scoring 11.
Westfield pulled away in the third quarter with a 14-3 run. The run began with three straight Shamrocks triples: Bishop made the first one, then Buchanan hit a 3, followed by a second Bishop triple. Hogg interrupted the stretch with another 3, but Buchanan answered that with a 3, then Romack made two free throws to put his team up 13. Cain made a traditional three-point play and another layin, then Hogg nailed a second 3 to get University with 40-35 going into the fourth.
Cain finished the game with 36 points for the ‘Blazers, including seven 3s, while Hogg scored 11. Romack scored 29 for the ‘Rocks, followed by 25 for Bishop, who made five 3s. Buchanan finished with three 3s for nine points.
University is 18-1 and plays Saturday at Decatur Central. Westfield is 13-7 and plays Friday at Franklin Central to finish Hoosier Crossroads Conference play for the season.
UNIVERSITY 71, WESTFIELD 67
(Double overtime)
University FG FT TP PF
Kahmi Bracey 2 1-2 5 5
Robert Russell 0 0-0 0 0
Sabien Cain 14 1-2 36 4
Andre Ozlowski 4 4-7 12 4
Seth Hogg 4 1-2 11 4
Bryce Gray 0 7-8 7 0
Zien Bland 0 0-0 0 0
Steven Scott 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 24 14-21 71 17
University 3-pointers (7) Cain 7.
Westfield FG FT TP PF
Trey Buchanan 3 0-0 9 5
Sam Bishop 9 2-3 25 3
Charles Farrell 0 0-2 0 0
Durante Morton 0 1-2 1 0
Alex Romack 11 7-10 29 3
Seth LaRavia 1 0-0 3 2
Max McComb 0 0-0 0 1
Will Harvey 0 0-0 0 1
Totals 24 10-17 67 15
Westfield 3-pointers (9) Bishop 5, Buchanan 3, LaRavia.
Score by Quarters
University 10 12 13 15 7 14 – 71
Westfield 14 10 16 10 7 10 – 67