Farrell, Eagles Down Union On Last Second Free Throw

Owen Farrell needed just one free throw.

The senior guard converted a tie-breaking shot with 1.3 seconds left to give the Eagles a 43-42 victory over Union in their home finale Monday.

Farrell initiated contact from Collin Gerdel, sending him to the line for the game-winner.

The dagger came just seconds after Ryan Rapert tied the game on a floater inside the paint.

Sullivan led 36-27 entering the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats wouldn’t relent.

Jordan Woodcock put the Eagles up 38-29 with 6:50 left and Union responded with a 7-0 run. Trent Bailey scored on back-to-back possessions, nailing a 3-pointer to pull the Wildcats within four. Nkosi Hanley swiped a pass and took it to the rim, cutting Sullivan’s lead to 38-36.

Owen Farrell dropped in two free throws to stop the run.

With Sullivan putting pressure on the Union offense, the Wildcats tried to zip a long pass across the center line. Dillon Farrell anticipated the pass and laid out to deflect the ball. Gabe Dace was able to scoop it up for a steal.

Sullivan kept the Wildcats off the board until Gerdel’s jumper with 1:49, making it 40-38.

Owen Farrell would again sink two free throws after getting fouled with 1:03 left. It extended the lead back to four.

Union quickly brought the ball up and Matthew Seely closed the gap, making it 42-40.

Rapert hit the equalizer with 14 seconds to go, only for Farrell to push the Eagles back on top.

Sullivan led the entire way, jumping out to a 9-5 lead on 3-pointers by Woodcock, Dillon Farrell and Kyle Lewis.

Woodcock couldn’t miss in the first quarter, splashing three treys.

His third gave the Eagles a 15-7 lead.

That shooting touch carried over into the second quarter as he knocked down his fourth 3 with 6:59 and doubled up the Wildcats, 18-9.

Union rallied, answering with a 12-3 run that tied the game at 21-21. Rapert’s 3-pointer with 3:07 completed the surge.

Owen Farrell broke the tie by forcing up a shot near the glass with 1:40 left. Woodcock scored inside and the Eagles went into halftime up 25-21.

Union tied the game with putbacks by Gerdel. Sullivan’s offense was dormant for the first three minutes of the quarter, but 3-pointers by Owen Farrell and Woodcock pushed the lead to 31-25. It was part of an 11-2 run that included a three-point play by JD McReynolds and a reverse layup by Owen Farrell with 1:34 left.

Union slumped to end the period, with Dillon Farrell and McReynolds drawing charging fouls in the final minute.

The Wildcats recovered, but fell short.