The University boys let a nine-point second quarter lead slip away and lost a 56-51 decision to Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter Saturday evening at The U Center.
The Trailblazers led 32-23 with two minutes left in the first half on a Nate Jeffrey basket. Ritter answered with four free throws, before Sabien Cain scored with 21 seconds left to put University up 34-27. The Blazers lost track of Ritter’s Mikail Miller who nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to bring Ritter within 34-30 at halftime.
The Raiders scored the first eight points of the third quarter, holding University scoreless for nearly four minutes before Kahmi Bracey hit a three pointer for the Blazers. The teams traded baskets the rest of the third quarter and the period ended knotted at 43.
University scored just two points in the first 7:37 of the fourth quarter as Ritter steadily built a nine point lead that the Blazers could not overcome.
Cain led University with 26 points, including 21 in the first half. Bracey had eight points and Andre Ozlowski seven.
University’s record falls to 7-6. The Trailblazers are next in action Saturday at 2 p.m. when they travel to Covenant Christian in a rescheduled contest. Cardinal Ritter won its third consecutive game and stands 4-6 on the season.
CARDINAL RITTER 56, UNIVERSITY 51
University FG FT TP PF
Nate Jeffrey 3 0-0 6 2
Kahmi Bracey 2 2-3 8 2
Robert Russell 1 0-0 2 4
Sabien Cain 10 3-4 26 4
Seth Hogg 0 0-0 0 2
Bryce Gray 0 0-0 0 3
Andre Ozlowski 3 0-0 7 0
Steven Scott 1 0-0 2 1
Totals 20 5-7 51 18
Score by Quarters
Cardinal Ritter 14 16 13 13 – 56
University 17 17 9 8 – 51
University 3-pointers (6) Cain 3, Bracey 2, Ozlowski 1.