Going into their 14 days of quarantine, the University Heights Academy Blazers had been a little “snake-bit.” The Blazers had dropped three consecutive games by a total of eight points, and they could have easily won all three. Coming out of quarantine, UHA made sure that a last-minute loss would not be on the agenda.
After leading by as many as 15 points in the second half, the Blazers fended off a late rally attempt from Owensboro Catholic to pick up a 75-68 win in Blazer Gym. The score was almost identical to the last win for UHA, which was a 77-68 win over Marshall County three weeks ago.
UHA’s defensive pressure caused the Aces problems all afternoon, especially early in the game. With their defense forcing turnovers, the Blazers jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. When the end of the opening quarter arrived, UHA held the lead at 16-12.
Led by junior Brian Griffith, who may want to play all of his road games in the North Drive neighborhood after this week, Catholic opened the 2nd quarter on a 12-6 run, giving the Aces their only lead of the game at 24-22. Griffith, who scored 28 earlier on the week on the east side of North Drive at Christian County, hit for 30 as he moved “west” Saturday afternoon.
The Aces lead would be short-lived, however. William Bryan drilled a three to put the Blazers back up 25-24, and it would be a lead that UHA would hold for the rest of the game. UHA would close out the half scoring the final seven points to take a 38-29 lead at the break.
With Amani McGee having a hot start to the third quarter, the Blazers would move the lead out to 15 points at 53-38. But just as UHA appeared like it was ready to put the hammer down, Griffith and the Aces fought back.
Griffith would score five points over the final minutes of the third to help the Aces cut the lead to 57-45 going into the fourth quarter.
Owensboro Catholic would charge to within five points in the final quarter, but the Blazers got a big three-point play from Ed Braxton and key free throw shooting from K.J. Crump to hold the Aces at bay and pick up the win.
K.J. Crump paced the Blazers’ effort with 23 points. D.J. Quarles added 14.
Catholic’s Brian Griffith led all scorers with 30 points. JiAirius Webb finished the day with 13.
UHA moves to 2-5 on the season. The Blazers return to action Monday night when they host highly regarded Bowling Green.
Owensboro Catholic falls to 8-2. The Aces will host Evansville Bosse Wednesday night.
OCHS — 12 17 16 23 – 68
UHA — 16 22 19 18 – 75
Owensboro Catholic (8-2) – Griffith 30, Webb 13, Weaver 9, McFarland 6, Carrico 5, Gray 5
University Heights (2-5) – Crump 23, Quarles 14, Bryan 13, McGee 13, Braxton 7, Grubbs 5
