After a quiet first half, Steve Strong stepped up when it counted the most at the 810 Varsity Showcase.

Strong, the metro's leading scorer at over 31 ppg, scored a game-high 30 points to help lead University Academy to a 59-53 win over Lincoln Prep at Avila University on Saturday.

The junior had only mustered seven points at half, on just 3-of-10 shooting. A pair of three's in the third period helped the Gryphons stayed tied, 34-34, going into the fourth.

But in a to-and fro game - which saw the lead tied at the end of each quarter - Strong stepped up with a 24-foot three-pointer to give UA a 37-36 lead with 5:31 left. A Gryphon stickback, a Strong follow-up to his own miss, and a pair of Strong free throws jetted the lead to 45-36 with 3:01 left, an 11-0 run.

From there, the Tigers couldn't draw closer than six, as Strong connected on 12-of-13 free throws to finish with a 17-point fourth quarter.Adrian Robinson led Lincoln Prep with 16 points, while Aaron Bedell finished with 12.

Lincoln Prep (53)
EJ Betts 1 2-2 4, Aaron Bedell 5 2-5 12, Adrian Robinson 6 3-6 16, A'Justin Pearson 2 1-2 5, Edrico Gilliam 0 1-2 1, Jeremiah Randle 2 2-2 7, Jaishon Jefferson 1 0-0 2, JT Washington 1 0-0 3, Israel Randle 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 11-19 52.

University Academy (59)
Christian Terrell 3 0-2 6, Steve Strong 7 13-14, 30, Quran Taylor 3 2-2 9, Cannon Clark 2 2-2 6, Javen McCay 1 0-0 2, De'Anthony Casey 3 0-0 6. Totals 19 17-20 59. 

Three-point goals: Robinson, Randle, Washington; Strong 3, Taylor.

Lincoln Prep             11    13    10    18 -53
University Acad.    11    13    10    25 - 59