The UHA Blazers got big nights from both Tylin George and Elijah Walton but it was not quite enough to get past the Owensboro Red Devils. Owensboro had three players hit for 20+ as the Red Devils took an 88-82 win in a highly entertaining game Saturday night at the Toyota of Hopkinsville Holiday Hoops Classic.
The first quarter was an offensive showcase at both ends of the floor, with both teams pushing the tempo. Elijah Walton had arguably his best quarter of the year in the first, coming up with 21 points as the Blazers took a 32-27 lead.
Owensboro big man Keaton Hughes kept the Red Devils close early with his offense down low and his strength on the glass. That would be a theme throughout the night for the Red Devils.
The pace did not slow down one mile an hour in the second quarter. The Red Devils got some big outside shots from AAron Richardson and made a move to get to the lead. Meanwhile, the Blazers cooled off a touch and that was enough for Owensboro to take a 53-46 lead at the half.
The Blazers came out of the break a bit cooler than they went in. Owensboro was able to take advantage and extend the lead out to 12 points at 64-52. Then Elijah Walton and Tylin George kicked it up to another gear. The high-flying, high-scoring Blazer duo brought UHA to within five at 66-61. The quarter ended with the Red Devils up 70-63.
The question as the fourth quarter got underway was which team would be able to do the better job slowing down the other teams top offensive option. For the Blazers, it was trying to stop Keaton Hughes inside and keep him off the glass. For the Red Devils, it was trying to contain George and Walton.
Trailing 76-69 midway through the final quarter, the Blazers got a three from Tylin George and a steal and layup from Tre Bell to pull within two points at 76-74. A couple of quick Michael Action buckets pushed the Owensboro lead back out to six at 80-74.
Leading by five, Owensboro took a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Red Devils spread the court and killed a minute of clock before getting a cut to the basket and a slam from Michael Action taking the lead to 84-77 with 90 seconds left and putting the Blazers with their backs against the wall. The Red Devils added a basket from Will Hume to make it 86-77.
Tylin George buried a three from the left corner to trim it to 86-80 with 50.6 seconds to go but that would be as close as the Blazers would get as the Red Devils took the six-point in.
Elijah Walton finished the game with 32 points, 25 of them coming in the first half. Tylin George added 31 points, 22 in the second half.
Owensboro was led by Keaton Hughes with 25 points. Will Hume added 24 and Michael Action had 23.
University Heights (0-4) will look for its first win of the season Monday when the Blazers host Henderson County.
