A furious late comeback fell agonizingly short for the University Trailblazers as they dropped a 45-43 decision at heritage Christian Tuesday night.
After scoring just one point for nearly ten minutes, University found themselves trailing 43-37 before Ethan Sickels hit a left corner three pointer with 1:11 remaining to cut the lead to 43-40. Zach Hodgin came up with the defensive play of the night poking the ball away and David Howard picked up the ball to complete the steal. Hodgin then found Sickels in the right corner for a game tying three pointer with 44 seconds left.
Heritage Christian missed a shot, but the Blazers we called for a foul in the scrum for the rebound. The Eagles made both free throws for a 45-43 lead. University went for the win, but Sickels three pointer hit the front of the rim and Hodgin’s putback attempt bounced off the rim at the buzzer.
Sickels led University with 15 points, making five of seven three pointers. Howard had nine points and Emerson Halbleib had eight. Hodgin finished with seven points, a team high seven rebounds and five assists.
The foul line was difference in the game as University made just one of seven charity tosses, while the Eagles made 10 of 13.
The loss drops University to 10-10. The Trailblazers have lost 9 of their last 11. University will host the Lebanon Tigers Friday night at The U Center.
Heritage Christian improved to 10-9 on the season.
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 45, UNIVERSITY 43
University FG FT TP PF
Ethan Sickels 5-7 0-0 15 0
David Howard 4-6 0-2 9 3
Emerson Halbleib 4-6 0-1 8 1
Zach Hodgin 3-4 1-4 7 1
Josh Watson 2-3 0-0 4 3
Josh Alford 0-3 0-0 0 2
Tyler Wott 0-0 0-0 0 1
Totals 18-29 1-7 43 11
Score by Quarters
University 13 11 12 7 – 43
Heritage 12 10 12 11 – 45
University 3-point shooting: (6-11) Sickels 5-7, Howard 1-2, Alford 0-1, Watson 0-1.
University rebounds: (15) Hodgin 7, Howard 4, Watson 3, Sickels 1.