THE REPORTER
The University boys won their sixth consecutive Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference championship with a 66-57 win last Saturday night at The U Center.
The Trailblazers led from start to finish, building a 13-point first quarter lead, and withheld a furious fourth quarter Park Tudor rally to improve to 17-1 on the season
Sabien Cain had 19 points and Andre Ozlowski added 18 for the Blazers. Rob Russell gave University three in double figures with 12 points.
The Blazers raced to an 18-5 lead behind 12 points from Cain and led 21-9 at the end of the first after Ozlowski buried a buzzer beating three pointer from the left corner.
Park Tudor pulled within three late in the quarter before Seth Hogg’s basket with three seconds left gave University a 29-24 halftime lead.
University jumped on the Panthers to start the second half. Cain scored on a traditional three-point play, Ozlowski scored, Seth Hogg had a steal and layin and Russell added a basket to put University up 38-26. The Blazers led 47-36 after three quarters.
University had its largest lead at 52-36 with 4:40 remaining after Russell made a three pointer and Cain had a fast break after an Ozlowski blocked shot. Park Tudor got as close as five down the stretch before the Blazers got some defensive stops and made their free throws to close out the game.
University coach Brandon Lafferman was ecstatic. “I can’t say enough about my entire team. Everyone on our starting five had a timely play. Robert Russell and Kahmi Bracey were strong offensively. Sabien Cain was doing what he always does and Andre Ozlowski was our closer in the fourth quarter. We’re going to enjoy this win and get ready to play Westfield on Tuesday.”