Lady Eagles Almost Snap Union’s Streak
Sullivan’s basketball has been stellar all season. The Lady Eagles have been storming opponents on the court and Thursday wasn't any different. The Union Lady Wildcats traveled to Sullivan on an eight game win streak. Sullivan wasn't going down without a fight. The Lady Eagles were resilient and forced the game into overtime. Unfortunately, Union squeezed by Sullivan, 53-43.
In the first quarter, Abby Peterson drew first blood with an inside layup. Union took the lead when Failyn Blankenship sank a three point basket. Union connected four more points and Sullivan's Head Coach Jordan Flora took a timeout. The Lady Eagles added three more points when Molly Lohden swished in a three point basket from the top of the key. Union's Sophia Helling answered with her own three point basket at the buzzer. Union led Sullivan, 11-5.
In the second quarter, Sullivan came alive. Kylee McReynolds hit an inside basket and Helling notched two free throws. Lohden sank a three point basket on the left side and McReynolds did the same from the same side. Union's Blankenship broke the tie with a three point basket with a little over five minutes left. Lohden passed the ball to Peterson under the basket and Delaney George tied the game with a layup. Union grabbed the lead and Peterson tied the game back up with two free throws. Union took the lead back, but McClain tied the game back from the free throw line. Union grabbed the lead back to end the first half, 24-21.
In the third quarter, Sullivan rallied and was down only by one at the end of the quarter. Union scored two three point baskets back to back and Coach Flora took a timeout. McClain and Peterson added more baskets and this time, Union took a timeout with a little under three minutes. Peterson and McClain netted more free throws and Sullivan was only down by one, 30-29.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Eagles kept up their rally and motivation and forced the game into overtime. Peterson grabbed the lead on a flying layup and Helling grabbed the lead back for Union. McClain tied the game up from the free throw line and Coach Flora took another time out with a little over three minutes left. Olivia Witt sailed a three point basket in when the action resumed. Union took a timeout and Helling was the savior again when she netted a three pointer. The game went into overtime with the score at 38.
In overtime, Helling scored the first basket to take the lead. Hayli Venable netted a free throw and so did Union. The Lady Wildcats added four more points and Coach Flora took a timeout. McClain added free throws and Union netted more to their lead. George netted the last free throw for Sullivan and the game was over, 53-43.
Official stats were unavailable at press time.