The REPORTER
University’s girls hung tough with the 15th-ranked team in Class 3A before Purdue Polytechnic pulled away in the last minute to defeat the Trailblazers 69-56 Saturday night at The U Center.
University fell behind 24-11 at the end of the first quarter before changing up defenses and crawling back in the game. The Trailblazers scored 20 points in the second quarter, tying the game at 31 with 53 seconds left in the half on a Nyla Blanding three-pointer from the right corner. The Techies scored the last four points of the quarter and led 35-31 at the half. University made seven first half three-pointers. Blanding had 11 first half points and Leah Norvell nine.
The contest was a two-possession game throughout the second half but the Blazers never led. Two Sydney Culp free throws tied the game at 50 and two more Sydney Culp free throws pulled University within 56-54 with 2:37 left before Purdue Poly outscored University 13-2 the rest of the way.
Norvell led University with 18 points. Sydney Culp had 14 points including making all eight free throws. She dished out a team-high six assists. Blanding had 13 points and Gabby Culp had 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Mack Feeney grabbed eight rebounds.
Te’asia Briscoe had a game high 30 points for Purdue Poly, who improved to 11-1 on the season.
