By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
CARMEL – It took all of 35 seconds for the University boys basketball team to set the tone for its Thursday game with Scecina.
The Trailblazers scored six points during that short span of time, forcing a quick timeout by the Crusaders. University continued to roll from there, eventually beating Scecina 71-54 at the U Center.
Montgomery Holland scored the first two baskets of the game within seconds of each other, then another turnover led to a basket by Blake Gray. University didn’t let up after the timeout: Max McComb nailed a 3-pointer to put the ‘Blazers up 9-0.
“We got a style of play that we’re still trying to figure out,” said University coach Justin Blanding. “We’re small, so playing faster and pressuring the ball, that’s what we got to go to.”
Scecina got on the board with a layin by Adrian Hill, but baskets by Robert Russell and Blake Gray pushed the Trailblazers’ lead to 13-2. The Crusaders made a 7-0 run late in the period to get within 16-11 before University went on an 11-0 spurt that bridged the first and second quarters.
Faisal Mohamud and Jalen Scott opened the second period with back-to-back triples, and another 3 from Mohamud gave the ‘Blazers a 30-14 advantage. University led 35-18 before Scecina scored five points to cut it to 35-23 by halftime.
The Trailblazers made another quick start to begin the second half, thanks to two baskets from McComb and a Russell triple. University then led 42-23 and kept its lead around that margin for the remainder of the game. Blake Gray had nine points in the third quarter, with Bryce Gray scoring eight in the fourth, including a triple.
Blanding said his team’s defense was “very disciplined tonight. We haven’t been in the past, but we were disciplined. They stuck to the game plan. We’re starting to figure things out.”
Four University players reached double figures in scoring, beginning with Blake Gray’s 16 points. McComb had 15 points, then Bryce Gray and Holland both scored 11 points. Holland led the rebounds with six, Bryce Gray had six assists and five steals. Russell dished out four assists.
“Offensively, we want to make sure everybody’s touching the ball, everybody’s getting opportunities and just sharing the ball,” said Blanding.
University is 5-6 and plays at Covenant Christian on Saturday.
UNIVERSITY 71, SCECINA 54
University FG FT TP PF
Bryce Gray 3-6 3-5 11 3
Blake Gray 7-9 1-1 16 1
Max McComb 6-8 1-2 15 1
Robert Russell 2-9 1-2 6 1
Montgomery Holland 5-7 1-2 11 0
Jackson Bledsoe 0-4 0-0 0 1
Zien Bland 0-1 1-4 1 1
Faisal Mohamud 2-3 0-0 6 0
Jalen Scott 2-4 0-2 5 0
Cooper Cammack 0-5 0-0 0 3
Danny Walz 0-0 0-0 0 0
JoeRozembajgier 0-1 0-0 0 0
Hayden Hyde 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 27-57 8-18 71 11
Score by Quarters
Scecina 11 12 13 18 – 54
University 19 16 22 14 – 71
University 3-point shooting (9-19) Br. Gray 2-4, McComb 2-2, Mohamud 2-2, Russell 1-5, Bl. Gray 1-2, Scott 1-2, Bledsoe 0-1, Holland 0-1.
University rebounds (22) Holland 6, Bland 4, McComb 3, Russell 2, Scott 2, Cammack 2, Walz 1, Bledsoe 1, Bl. Gray 1.