The University Heights Academy boys’ basketball team beat Murray High 68-57 on Sunday, completing a weekend that saw it win three games in three different gyms. The Blazers got started Friday night with a 77-59 statement win on the road at Madisonville-North Hopkins (12-5), followed by a trip to Lincoln County to compete in the Patriot Classic where they won 58-49 over Southwestern (8-4). Sunday’s win came as part of Mustang Madness at McCracken County High School, improving the Blazers’ record to 10-4 on the year.
If the Blazers had heavy legs from their hectic weekend it didn’t show, as they jumped out to a 19-8 lead after the first quarter. Junior guard Kyky Tandy had 8 points in the first frame, followed by junior guard Drew McGowan’s 5.
Murray responded with 17 second quarter points, outscoring the Blazers by 1, but UHA still went into the halftime break leading 35-25. Tandy scored 8 more in the second quarter, leading the team with 16 at the half.
The Blazers reasserted themselves after the break, putting up 21 points in the third quarter and holding the Tigers to 10. The result was a comfortable 56-35 Blazer lead, allowing them to coast in over the final quarter. The Tigers scored 22 points over the last eight minutes, with the Blazers only managing 12 for the final 68-57 score.
Tandy was the Blazers’ leading scorer with 31, followed by senior forward Malik Lovan with 10. McGowan and junior forward Taquan Hollowell both scored 7, freshman guard KJ Crump had 6, freshman William Bryan chipped in 3, and junior guard Jaylen Brown and freshman Amani McGee both had a bucket.
Up next for the Blazers is a tantalizing home meeting on Tuesday with the Christian County Colonels (10-5). Not only are they two of the top teams in the 2nd Region, each boasts one of the top players as well, with Tandy and Colonel senior forward Detorrion Ware going head-to-head. The Blazers enter the game 2-0 in the 8th District, while Christian County is 1-0.
