Posted By: Richie Hall November 25, 2025
The REPORTER
Freshman Brooke Henderson recorded her first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds but University could not hold a first-half lead and dropped a 44-41 decision to Shortridge Friday, Nov. 21 at The U Center.
The Trailblazers got off to a fast start, leading 12-5 at the end of the first quarter. Gabby Culp scored six early points and University led 8-4 with two minutes left in the quarter. Leah Norvell came up with a steal, passed ahead to Sydney Culp who got the ball back to Norvell for a basket and a 10-4 lead. Mack Feeney closed out the first quarter with a rebound basket just ahead of the first quarter buzzer.
University stretched the lead to 15-5 at the start of the second quarter. Henderson split a pair of free throws and added a rebound basket. The Blazers went cold for the rest of the half, going scoreless for more than four minutes. Norvell closed out the first half scoring with a three pointer from the left corner with 2:35 left. The Blazers led 18-12 at halftime.
Shortridge scored the first eight points of the second half before a Henderson three pointer and a Norvell rebound basket put University back up 23-20. Shortridge scored the next four points before a Nyla Blanding foul shot tied the game at 24. The Blue Devils led 30-29 at the end of the third quarter.
Henderson scored off a Feeney feed to open the fourth quarter to give the Blazers their last lead at 31-30. Shortridge made a three pointer for a 33-31 lead with 7:15 left and the Blue Devils never trailed again. University never trailed by more than five and it was a one possession contest for much of the final quarter.
Norvell had 12 points, Gabby Culp seven, Blanding six and Feeney four. Feeney had nine rebounds.
University is 3-4 on the season and hosts Brebeuf Jesuit Tuesday at home. Tipoff for a varsity only contest is 7:30 p.m.
