The University boys basketball team opened defense of their Pioneer Conference championship with a 54-43 win over Seton Catholic in the nightcap of girl-boy doubleheader at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The ‘Blazers scored the last seven points of the first half to take a 31-20 halftime lead and stretched that lead to 18 after three quarters. Seton made a run early in the fourth quarter, but never got closer than nine points.
University coach Brandon Lafferman was pleased with his team’s performance. “I really liked how we started the game and executed offensively. We have struggled to score at Bankers Life in the past and we did a nice job knocking down shots in the first half,” he said. The ‘Blazers shot 51 percent from the field for the game.
“I thought Eric Major was fantastic off the bench, bringing energy and rebounded well for us,” continued Lafferman. “This is a big conference win for us early in the season.”
Seton Catholic led for only seven seconds in the game, taking a 2-0 lead before Jacob Sager scored to tie the game. Max Greenamoyer put University in front with a three pointer. University built the lead to 12-5 behind a pair of baskets by Camden Brown and a basket and free throw by Sager. Joe Martin assisted on all five first quarter ‘Blazers baskets.
The game was tied twice in second quarter before Nate Shatkowski put University in front to stay at 16-14. The ‘Blazers led 24-20 with two minutes remaining in the half before their 7-0 spurt. A bucket by Greenamoyer and a lay-in off a steal by Martin preceded a late 3 from Greenamoyer.
University jumped all over the Cardinals in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 18. Martin had six in the quarter.
Martin led the ‘Blazers with 12 points, eight assists and four steals. Greenamoyer was also in double figures with 11 points.
Point guard Sam Mervis pulled down eight rebounds. Eric Major provided valuable minutes off the bench and had six points and seven rebounds.
The ‘Blazers will take a 2-1 record in to tonight’s home game against the Speedway Sparkplugs.
University 54, Seton Catholic 43
University FG FT TP PF
Sam Mervis 1-4 0-0 2 2
Max Greenamoyer 4-7 0-1 11 3
Jacob Sager 3-5 1-2 7 4
Camden Brown 2-6 0-0 4 1
Joe Martin 6-7 0-3 12 0
Quinn Steiner 2-4 0-0 6 0
Eyal Friedman 0-1 0-0 0 0
Nate Shatkowski 3-6 0-1 6 1
Korey Ash-Simpson 0-3 0-0 0 1
Eric Major 3-4 0-0 6 0
Totals 24-47 1-7 54 12
Score by Quarters
Seton Catholic 10 10 6 17 – 43
University 12 19 13 10 – 54
University 3-point shooting (5-12) Greenamoyer 3-6, Steiner 2-4, Shatkowski 0-1, Brown 0-1.
University rebounds (30) Mervis 8, Major 7, Brown 5, Ash-Simpson 4, Friedman 2, Martin 1, Greenamoyer 1, Shatkowski 1, Steiner 1.