When the shots are not falling, things become much more difficult on the basketball court. The Murray Tigers limited the University Heights Academy Blazers to just 26-percent shooting Thursday night as the Tigers rolled to a 57-39 at Blazer Gym.
Both teams had their struggles early on as Murray held an 8-6 lead after the opening quarter. Murray got a great start from Lincoln English, who scored six points in the first eight minutes of the game.
While the Blazers’ cold shooting continued into the second quarter, the Tigers’ began to find their shooting eye. Murray used a 13-0 run to take a 27-8 lead. Behind some defensive pressure, UHA mustered up enough offense for a 6-0 run to end the half to cut the lead to 27-14 going into the break.
In fact, despite their cold shooting, it was the Blazers’ defense forcing Murray into turnovers that enabled them to be without shouting distance at the half.
Behind the play of Trey Boggess and Drew May, the Tigers kept the pressure on the Blazers in the third quarter. The duo combined for 13 points in the quarter as Murray extended the lead to 43-24.
Gavin Grubbs tried to ignite a fourth quarter rally for the Blazers, but there would be no big comeback. Grubbs would score 11 in the final quarter but the Tigers would still roll on out to the 18 point win.
Grubbs was the only Blazer to reach double figures with 17 points. Elijah Walton added five for UHA.
Murray was led by Trey Boggess with 19 points. Drew May added 14, while Lincoln English added 11.
UHA connected on only 14 of 53 from the field, including 3 of 21 from behind the arc. Murray controlled the glass, outrebounding the Blazers 43-23. The UHA pressure defense did cause the Tigers problems at times, forcing them into 20 turnovers on the night.
The loss drops UHA to 1-3 on the year, while Murray stays unbeaten at 3-0.
MHS — 8 19 16 14 – 57
UHA — 6 8 10 15 – 39
Murray (3-0) – Boggess 19, May 14, English 11, Carman 4, Gill 4, Watson 4,
UHA (1-3) – Grubbs 17, Walton 5, Northington 4, Wallace 4, J.Brown 2, C. Brown 2, Quarles 2, Thomas 2,
