Class 1A No. 3 University blitzed previously unbeaten Indiana Deaf at The U Center on Thursday night, running away with a 80-39 victory and moving to 10-0 for the first time in program history.
University’s defense fueled an 11-0 Trailblazers run to start the game — University forced turnovers on the first three Orioles possessions, then junior Lindsey Syrek blocked Indiana Deaf’s first shot on the fourth. Indiana Deaf’s first point came from the free throw line to make it 11-1, but University’s lead soon ran to 21-3 and 29-6 at the end of the first quarter. Syrek dominated in the paint early, scoring 11 of the Trailblazers’ first-quarter points.
After hitting 13 3-pointers in the win over Liberty Christian on Saturday, the Trailblazers went one better Thursday night, making 14 3s. Senior guard Lily Snyder got the effort started, hitting two early 3s, before junior guard Maddi Sears erupted with six 3-pointers, scoring a career-high 18 points. Senior forward Jenna Blakley also joined the 3-point party, scoring nine of her 11 points from behind the arc.
University’s 29-6 quarter-break lead grew to 56-12 at halftime, as the Trailblazers again held an effectively insurmountable lead by the half.
The Orioles (8-1) got things rolling better offensively in the second half, paced by junior guard Kalena Bumbala, who scored 16 of her game-high 21 points in the second half.
The Trailblazers will head to Lawrence Central on Saturday afternoon for a 2:30 varsity tip-off in University’s first action against 4A opposition since a Jan. 7, 2012 contest against Zionsville.
University 80, Indiana Deaf 39
University FG FT TP PF
Lindsey Syrek 8 4-7 20 2
Brooke Andrus 2 0-0 5 4
Lily Snyder 3 0-0 9 1
Maddi Sears 6 0-0 18 0
Jhordan McGuire 3 0-1 6 1
Lucy Snyder 2 0-0 2 0
Anne Gibboney 1 0-0 3 0
Haley Tomlinson 2 0-0 4 2
Hallie Harrison 1 0-0 2 1
Jenna Blakley 4 0-0 11 3
Arrion Sherrod 0 0-0 0 1
Totals 32 4-8 80 15
Score by Quarters
Indiana Deaf 6 6 9 18 – 39
University 29 27 9 15 – 80
University 3-pointers (14) Sears 6, Li. Snyder 3, Blakley 3, Andrus 1, Gibboney 1.