UHS boys hold off Lions in division opener

University held on for victory in its Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference North Division opener on Saturday, pulling away in the final minute to beat Liberty Christian 54-51 in an away game.
The Lions led 13-10 after the first quarter, but the Trailblazers came back to tie the game at 27-27 by halftime. Liberty Christian took a 33-27 lead in the third before University made a run to go ahead 41-37 by the end of the period.
The ‘Blazers never trailed in the fourth quarter, and led 47-41 before the Lions made an 8-2 run to tie the game at 49-49. Larry Pierce made two free throws in a one-and-bonus situation to get University ahead 51-49. Liberty Christian tied the game again, but Kahmi Bracey got UHS ahead for good with a free throw, then made a steal that led to Pierce hitting two more foul shots, sealing the game.
“I’m really proud of our guys finding a way to win a huge conference game in a tough environment,” said ‘Blazers coach Brandon Lafferman.
Pierce finished with 25 points, while Andre Ozlowski scored 13 points.
University is 4-1 overall and plays Friday at Brebeuf Jesuit.

UNIVERSITY 54, LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 51
University FG FT TP PF
Nate Jeffery 2 2 6 0
Kahmi Bracey 1 2 5 3
Rob Russell 1 2 5 2
Andre Ozlowski 4 2 13 3
Larry Pierce 7 9 25 2
Seth Hogg 0 0 0 0
Jackson Bledsoe 0 0 0 0
Totals 15 17 54 10
Score by Quarters
University 10 17 14 13 – 54
Liberty Christian 13 14 10 14 – 51
University 3-pointers (5) Pierce 2, Bracey 1, Russell 1, Ozlowski 1.