It has been a familiar refrain so far in the 2019-2020 basketball season for the University Heights Academy Blazers. Fall behind early, and then rally to get back in the game. Friday evening, the Blazers completed the come-from-behind rally to take down the Somerset Briar Jumpers 63-57 in the Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops Classic.
The Blazers got off to a slow start in the contest. The Briar Jumpers limited UHA to just eight points in the opening quarter, as Somerset took the early 21-8 lead. Dylan Burton outscored the Blazers all by his lonesome with 9 points in the quarter.
K.J. Crump and D.J. Quarles then got things going to start the Blazer rally. The duo combined for 18 points in the second quarter as the Blazers came fighting back to cut the lead to 33-28 headed into the locker room at the half.
The UHA defense cranked it up another notch in the third quarter, holding the Briar Jumpers to 10 points. Meanwhile, Amani McGee connected for ten on his own, as the Blazers took the lead at 47-43 by the end of the quarter.
UHA was able to hold on for the six point win by connecting on 10 of 12 from the free throw line in the final quarter.
Another big game for K.J. Crump, as he finished with 27 points. Amani McGee had 14, while D.J. Quarles chipped in with 12.
Dylan Burton led Somerset with 17 points. However, he had only four free throws in the second half of play.
With the win, which was their 4th in their last six games, after starting the season 0-4, the Blazers improve to 4-6 on the season.
UHA 8 20 19 16– 63
Somerset 21 12 10 14– 57
University Heights (4-6) — Crump 27, McGee 14, Quarles 12, Bryan 8, Wood 2
Somerset (8-2) — Burton 17, Grundy 14, Stevens 10, Bruner 8, Sheron 6, Acey 2
