THE REPORTER
Keira Bright’s three pointer from the right corner with two seconds left lifted University’s girls a 51-50 road win over Lapel Saturday afternoon.
Bright’s game winner came off a baseline inbound pass from Jordan Patterson and capped a rally from a three point deficit with 27 seconds left. Trailing 50-48 the Blazers missed a shot to tie the game but tied up Lapel in a scrum for the rebound. University was awarded the held ball with 4.9 seconds remaining and Bright scored on the ensuing inbound after University used their last timeout. After a Lapel timeout with 1.1 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs inbound pass was deflected to seal the win.
University took an 11-10 lead early in the second quarter on a Bright basket and maintained that lead throughout the second and third quarters leading 34-30 after the third quarter. After Lapel drew within two to open the fourth quarter, Jordan Patterson made the first three pointer of the game. Payton Seay followed with a basket and free throw with six minutes remaining for a 40-32 Trailblazer lead.
Lapel scored the next eight points to tie the game at 40 with 3:50 left. Payton Seay put University back on top with a bucket, but the Bulldogs converted a pair of free throws to again tie the game. Kelsey DuBois scored to put University up 44-42 before Lapel again tied the game.
Jordan Patterson put University up 46-44 with 1:52 left on a strong drive to the basket. Madelyn Pointer hit a step back three pointer to give Lapel their first lead since the end of the first quarter at 47-46. After a University turnover Laniah Wills made two free throws with 27.9 left to give the Bulldogs a 49-46 lead.
University missed a shot but Taylor Seay was fouled in a battle for the rebound and the sophomore calmly made two free throws to cut the Lapel lead to 49-48. DuBois fouled out after Lapel inbounded and the Bulldogs split a pair of foul shots for the 50-48 lead prior to Bright’s heroics.
Payton Seay led University with 20 points and had four steals. Taylor Seay had nine points, five rebounds and four assists. Patterson had nine points and five rebounds. DuBois had eight points and a team high 12 rebounds.
Wills, a 6-0 freshman, led Lapel with 24 points including 10 of 12 at the free throw line. Poynter had 13 points, including 4 of 6 foul shots. The Bulldogs were 19 of 24 at the foul line. University made 7 of 10 free throws.
University won for the ninth consecutive game. The Trailblazers will host Indianapolis City champion Heritage Christian Tuesday night at The U Center.