Playing without three starters, University Heights Academy fell 63-50 to Lake County Tenn. Thursday in the opening round of the CCA Lady Warrior Classic in Paducah.
The starters missed the contest for various reasons and left the Lady Blazers with seven players in uniform. Their absence was obvious early as they fell behind by double digits in the first three minutes.
UHA trailed 22-4 after one quarter and 34-11 at halftime. The Lady Blazers responded with a 13-5 run to start the third quarter to get to within 39-24 midway through the frame.
The Lady Blazers continued to chip away as they drove through Lake County’s defense for multiple close shots. UHA got as close as 56-48 with 2:30 left but ran out of gas down the stretch.
Lily Hendricks scored 19 of her team-high 26 points in the second half as UHA outscored the Lady Falcons 39-29 after halftime. The senior guard also contributed six steals.
Mallory Rager had nine points and five rebounds, and Aniah Dailey added eight points and five rebounds.
UHA (3-5) has now lost two consecutive games for the first time this season and will play Ballard Memorial in the consolation bracket Friday at 5pm. The Lady Bombers (5-5) fell to Trigg County 53-49 in the tourney opener.
Lake County 20 12 15 16—63
University Heights 4 7 23 11—50
Lake County (4-5) – Hill 29, Lee 15, Barber 5, Wilbanks 4, Gross 4, Swift 4, York 2
University Heights (3-5) – Hendricks 26, Rager 9, Dailey 8, Daniel 5, Bass 2
