K.J. Crump scored 36 points to lead UHA Monday at Murray.
While fans of University Heights Academy knew the loss of All-State guard Kyky Tandy was going to leave a void in several areas on the box score, there is no void in spark and hustle. The Blazers proved that Monday as they trimmed a 27-point second half deficit to seven before falling at Murray 89-77.
Murray hit six 3-pointers in the first half and beat UHA on the boards in building a 30-11 lead after the first quarter and extending it to 53-30 at halftime. The Blazers, who started four guards, were outrebounded 21-5 in the first half as Murray had 18 second chance points in the half.
UHA’s guards then turned up the pressure in the third quarter. After Murray built an early 27-point lead, the Blazers used a 27-11 run to trim the Tiger lead to 64-57. UHA forced 10 Murray turnovers in the third quarter, scoring 21 points off the miscues.
Murray answered with a 7-0 spurt, and UHA got as close as 83-75 with a minute left.
The Tigers ended the game with a 42-15 advantage on the glass. 6-6 senior Darius Duffy finished with nine points and 20 rebounds. Grant Whitaker scored 14 of his 31 points in the first quarter as the Tigers built their early advantage.
K.J. Crump hit four 3-pointers in a five-possession stretch of the third quarter when UHA was making a comeback and finished with a game-high 36 points. He also had four assists and four steals.
D.J. Quarles scored 14 points, while William Bryan had 11 points, four assists, and a team-high five rebounds.
UHA did a good job of taking care of the basketball, committing just five turnovers in the game. They forced Murray into 17 turnovers.
Murray picked up the win despite playing without Hunter Utley and Tommy Waldrop, who combined to score 16 points a game last year. The duo were injured in football season and should return to the hardwood before season’s end.
UHA returns to action Friday at the Marshall County HoopFest against John Hardin in a 10pm contest.
UHA (0-1) 11 19 27 20–77
Murray (1-0) 30 23 13 23–89
UHA – Crump 36, Quarles 14, Bryan 11, McGee 8, Wood 8
Murray — Whitaker 31, Boggess 14, Q. McAllister 14, Taylor 13, Duffy 9, C. McAllister 6, Lawrence 2
