Senior guard Natalie Nickless hit two 3-pointers in the first 15 seconds as University got out to a quick start and never looked back Tuesday night, defeating International 70-31 at the U Center.
Nickless, who finished with 15 points on five first-half 3-pointers, jumpstarted the Trailblazers (7-2), who scored the game’s first eight points and led 23-11 at the end of the first quarter. The same score produced itself in the second quarter, too, allowing University to enter halftime with a commanding 46-22 advantage.
While Nickless had the hot hand early, it was Lindsey Syrek who led the Trailblazers in scoring at the break — the sophomore forward scored 16 first-half points en route to a 2-point performance. But neither Nickless nor Syrek finished the game leading the Trailblazers in scoring, as on her return from injury, junior guard Brooke Andrus hit six 3-pointers in a 22-point performance to lead all scorers.
University’s scoring pace slowed down in the second half, but its defense stepped up, allowing just nine International (2-4) points after the break, all in the third quarter. With the win, the Trailblazers improved their all-time record against the Gryphons to 15-1.
University returns to action Thursday night for a varsity-only PAAC North division contest with Muncie Burris. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.
