By TPR News Desk, 02/05/2010
In a game of two very different halves, Union survived a second half Jesup rally to win an important NICL East conference game. The Knights played superior ball in the first half, shooting a perfect 3-3 from behind the three point arc and 6-6 from the free throw line. Overall, Union shot 60% from the field, as they raced out to a 32-9 halftime lead.
But the second half belonged to the J-Hawks, who, with a 23 point third quarter, cut the Knight lead to just six, 38-32. The Knights led 43-36 with 2:51 remaining in the game when Jesup’s pressure defense got the ball back with several five second calls.
With 39.9 ticks left in regulation, Jesup's Kelley Klein tied the game with a 3-pointer. Union advanced the ball down the floor and into the hands of freshman Kylie Powell, who was fouled by Klein with 11.4 seconds left. Powell sank both free throws to give Union the lead back, 45-43. On Jesup’s next possession, Klein was fouled, but missed both free throw attempts. The J-Hawks promptly fouled Sam Barz, who hit one of two free throws for a three point Union win.
Following the win Head Coach Robert Driscol said, "Even though we let a large lead slip away, I was impressed with our first half and the ability to hang in there and find a way to win in the end. Kylie’s two free throws to break the tie were huge and then Sam’s free throw helped secure the win. It was great to see two freshmen come through in that situation."
The win improved Union’s overall record to 13-4, and 11-2 in the conference. Jesup fell to 9-3 in conference play.
UNION 46, Jesup 43
SCORING: K. Powell 11, Barz 11, Hager 10, Bauer 9, Clark 3, Barney 2; REBOUNDS: Bauer 12, Hager 7; STEALS: Bauer 2; ASSISTS: Bauer 5, Barz 2; TURNOVERS: 20
TEAM: FG: 17-37; 3-PT FG: 3-4; FT: 9-13; REBOUNDS: 32