Posted By: Richie Hall January 5, 2026
The REPORTER
University’s boys returned home to The U Center Friday, Jan. 2 and picked up their fourth win of the week, defeating Bethesda Christian 56-40. The game was the Trailblazers’ second win in four days over the Patriots, having won the championship game of the Bill Hawkins Classic 80-39 on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The teams got off to a sluggish start Friday with University holding a 9-8 lead late in the first quarter before back-to-back three pointers from Josh McGee and Blake Gray staked the Trailblazers to a 15-8 lead. Bethesda Christian’s Liam Swan, who missed the Tuesday game due to illness, scored all of the Patriots points in the first quarter, including a bucket with eight seconds left to make it 15-10 at the break.
University cranked up the defense in the second quarter to take control of the game. The Trailblazers held Bethesda Christian to just one field goal and six total points in the quarter. University outscored the Patriots 9-2 in the last 2:25 of the half for a 28-16 lead.
A 9-2 run to open the third quarter removed all doubt for University. Josh Henderson grabbed a rebound and went the length of the floor for a basket and a 37-18 lead. The Blazers led 43-24 after three quarters and eventually stretched the lead to 24 on three occasions, the last at 53-29 with 3:20 remaining. The Patriots scored 11 of the game’s last 14 points.
Henderson led University with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Gray had 13 points and McGee added 11 points and handed out a team-high six assists.
Swan had a game-high 18 points for Bethesda Christian.
University improved to 7-2 with the win. Bethesda Christian is 6-4.
The Trailblazers are next in action Tuesday night at Brebeuf Jesuit, the start of a three-game week. University will host Scecina on Thursday and travel to Covenant Christian Saturday.
