THE REPORTER
The University girls saw a double-digit lead slip away Tuesday night before rallying in the last two minutes of the game to pull out a thrilling 59-57 win over Western at The U Center.
The Trailblazers led 25-14 midway through the second quarter and 34-26 early in the third quarter. The Panthers clawed back with some strong defense and pulled within 42-41 when Lauren Bradley made a 35-foot shot at the third quarter buzzer than bounced high off the back of the rim and fell through the net.
Western took their first lead since 2-0 early in the fourth quarter when Mackenize York made a three pointer. The game was tied at 48 midway through the fourth quarter and remained scoreless for nearly two minutes until Western scored five quick points to take a 53-48 lead with 2:04 left.
Kelsey DuBois got the Blazers within 53-50 with a bucket with 1:37 remaining. University’s pressure defense resulted in a steal that led to two Jordan Patterson free throws with 1:03 left. The Blazers forced a turnover with 59 seconds left. DuBois kicked the ball out to Patterson in the right corner and the senior nailed a clutch three pointer to put University up 55-53 with 48 seconds left. The Trailblazers made it a two-possession game after DuBois corralled a defensive rebound and got the ball to Patterson who found Kiera Bright for a breakaway layup and a 57-53 lead with 28 seconds remaining.
After a Caroline Long basket for Western, Patterson was fouled with 11.7 seconds left and calmly made a pair of free throws for a 59-55 lead. Western scored with five seconds left but were out of timeouts and University was able to let the clock expire before inbounding the ball.
DuBois had a game-high 17 points on 7 for 11 shooting. The senior had a team-leading nine rebounds. Payton Seay had 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and four assists. Patterson scored seven of her 10 points in the fourth quarter and handed out five assists. Taylor Seay had nine points, including seven in the first quarter before fouling out with 5:33 left on an offensive foul call. Kamryn Washington had five big assists for University. The Blazers had 17 assists on 20 made baskets.
Western was led by Long with 16, York with 14 and Bradley with 11.
University improves to 10-4 on the season while Western falls to 12-4.
The Trailblazers are at Harrison Friday evening before returning to host Covenant Christian Saturday in a girls/boys doubleheader.
UNIVERSITY 59, WESTERN 57
University FG FT TP PF
Kelsey DuBois 7-11 3-4 17 2
Kamryn Washington 0-1 0-0 0 3
Payton Seay 5-19 5-7 15 1
Taylor Seay 3-4 3-5 9 5
Jordan Patterson 2-5 4-4 10 2
Keira Bright 3-7 0-1 8 2
Alex Feeney 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 20-47 15-21 59 15
Score by Quarters
Western 14 11 16 16 – 57
University 18 14 10 17 – 59
University 3-point shooting (4-11) Bright 2-5, Patterson 2-4, DuBois 0-1, P. Seay 0-1.
University rebounds (22) DuBois 9, P. Seay 7, Patterson 3, Bright 1, Washington 1, Feeney 1.