The REPORTER
University opened defense of their IHSAA Sectional 42 championship with an opening round 74-44 win over Monrovia Tuesday night at Cardinal Ritter.
The Trailblazers scored 52 points in the second half to turn a six-point halftime game into a running clock for the last 4:42 of the game.
Seniors Blake Gray (22 points), Josh McGee (21 points) and Faisal Mohamud (17 points) led the way for University.
The teams traded baskets for the first five minutes of the game before Gray made two foul shots to give University a lead they would never relinquish at 9-7 with 2:38 left in the quarter. A three pointer from the right win by Gray and a McGee rebound basket with two seconds left put the Blazers up 14-7 after the first quarter.
University used a McGee fast break layin and three pointers from Gray and Mohamud to open up a 22-12 lead with 5:02 left in the half. The Trailblazers did not score again in the first half, but the University defense held Monrovia to just four points in the last five minutes of the quarter and led 22-16 at halftime
The Trailblazers blitzed the Bulldogs in the third quarter, quickly taking control of the game. A pair of three pointers by Gray and one by Mohamud helped get the lead back to 10 at 31-21 just two minutes into the second half. A Gray steal led to him making another three pointer from the left corner and a Cooper Cammack defensive rebound led to a Mohamud layin off a Gray assist and forced a Monrovia timeout at 36-21 with 4:44 left in the third quarter.
Gray had 11 third quarter points as the Blazers led 50-28 at the quarter break. University put up another 24 points in the fourth quarter for the win.
The Blazers were deadly from deep in the second half, connecting on 9 of 11 three point attempts. Gray made six of eight three pointers, part of a 7 for 11 shooting night. He also had three steals and handed out three assists.
McGee made 8 of 12 field goals and pulled down six rebounds, including four offensive boards. He had three assists, two blocked shots and one steal. Mohamud made 7 of 10 shots, including three of four triples. He had two steals.
Cammack pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds and handed out three assists. Noah Cortez had a team-high five assists.
University improves to 16-8 on the season and advances to play Covenant Christian at 6 p.m. Friday. The Trailblazers won at Covenant Christian 50-44 in January.
Monrovia finishes with a 14-9 record.
