Posted By: Richie Hall December 23, 2025
The REPORTER
University’s boys fell to 3-2 on the season dropping a tightly contested 70-64 decision to Purdue Polytechnic Saturday, Dec. 20 at The U Center.
The game was a back-and-forth affair with the score being within two possessions for all but 59 seconds. University led 47-45 after the third quarter but the Techies made the plays down the stretch and made all six free throws in the last 35 seconds to secure the win.
University jumped to a quick 6-0 lead behind a Josh Henderson basket and four points from Blake Gray. Purdue Poly recovered to lead 13-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Techies used a 6-0 run early in the second quarter to open up a 21-16 lead and lead 29-23 at halftime. Gray had seven first half points.
University exploded for 25 third-quarter points, using a 7-0 run midway through the third quarter to open up a 42-39 lead on a Faisal Mohamud basket. Buckets by Henderson and Noah Cortez and Mohamud gave the Blazers a 47-45 lead after three quarters.
After Purdue Poly scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, Henderson knotted the game at 49 with two free throws. TJ Williams answered to put Purdue Poly back in front and the Techies scored the next seven for a 56-49 lead. Baskets by Peter Morales and Josh McGee pulled University within three before Mohamud’s three-point play tied the score at 58 with 3:05 left.
University went scoreless for the next two minutes as Purdue Poly built a 63-58 lead. The Trailblazers had a chance to tie the game late. McGee was fouled while scoring and completed the three-point play with 28 seconds left to cut the lead to 67-64. University forced a turnover on the ensuing inbound, but the Blazers missed a game tying three-pointer. The Techies made three of four foul shots to close the game out.
Mohamud led University with 15 points and four assists. McGee had 14 points on six of eight field goals. Henderson also had 14 and Gray added 11 and seven rebounds. Cooper Cammack had a team-high nine rebounds.
Willliams led Purdue Poly with 30 points.
University will next play Dec. 29 in the Bill Hawkins Basketball Classic at Bethesda Christian. The Trailblazers open with Indianapolis Metropolitan at 10:30 a.m. and will play a second game later that day. Placement games will be Dec. 30.
