University overcame a slow start and some adversity Saturday night at Liberty Christian to defeat the Lions, 54-43, and assume control of the PAAC North Division.
For most of Saturday’s game, the Trailblazers (9-2, 3-0) were without leading scorer Lindsey Syrek, as the sophomore forward was in foul trouble most of the night. Syrek picked up her second foul midway through the first quarter, got hit with her third shortly after coming back into the game in the second quarter, and was whistled for her fourth foul a few minutes into the third quarter.
But despite Syrek’s time on the bench and minimal contribution in the box score (Syrek’s five points were a season-low, marking first time all year she didn’t record a double-double), University found a way to rally and get the job done at Liberty Christian (3-6, 0-1).
The Trailblazers were behind by double figures in the first quarter, trailed 19-11 at the quarter break, and after getting the lead back down to three late in the first half, entered halftime down 27-20. Liberty Christian’s stifling man-to-man defense kept the University offense from getting much momentum — only Haley Tomlinson hit multiple first-half field goals for University — as Natalie Nickless struggled to get open 3-point looks. And when Liberty Christian came out to push its advantage to 31-22 early in the third quarter, it looked like University’s shot at a division, and conference, title could slip through its hands in Anderson.
But Nickless came alive from there, hitting a quartet of 3-pointers and knocking down two free throws to key a 26-6 University run that saw the Trailblazers go from nine down in the third quarter to 11 up in the fourth, at 48-37, all largely without Syrek on the floor. Lilly Fair subbed in for Syrek after the latter picked up her fourth foul, and the Trailblazers defense tightened the screws on the Lions offense, using their press to force a high number of turnovers.
Nickless scored 11 of her team-high 17 in the third quarter, which University closed with a 39-35 lead, before Lily Snyder picked up the scoring burden in the fourth, scoring seven of her 11 points down the stretch to help secure the victory.
Lucy Snyder did her share of the work in the first half keeping the Trailblazers in the game; she scored six of her eight before halftime. It looked as if University would end the first quarter down 11, before Nickless hit a banked-in 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
University’s magic number for the program’s first division title, and championship game appearance, is down to one. If Liberty Christian defeats Seton Catholic next Saturday, the Trailblazers will win the division — otherwise, University can secure its own fate, and complete a perfect 4-0 season in the division, with a win over Seton Catholic on Dec. 21 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Trailblazers return to action Thursday night, visiting Sectional 58 foe Indiana School for the Deaf.
