Panthers edged in OT by Union County

C-T STAFF REPORT

KNIGHTSTOWN - The Knightstown High School boys basketball team hosted Union County Friday night in a Tri-Eastern Conference game and was edged in overtime by the visiting Patriots 58-55.

Union County improved to 1-0 in the TEC and 1-2 for the season while the Panthers dropped to 1-1 in both the conference and overall.

The Patriots jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first quarter before Knightstown pulled to within a point at 9-8 by the end of the opening period.

Union County opened up a 23-17 lead in the second quarter before the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to close out the first half, capped by a three-pointer, and Knightstown led 25-23 at intermission.

The Panthers maintained their advantage in the third quarter, managing a trio of eight-point leads at 34-26, 37-29, and 40-32 before settling for a 43-36 advantage after three periods of play.

Knightstown appeared to be in pretty good shape early in the fourth quarter, as it scored a pair of baskets and added a charity toss to take a 12-point lead at 48-36, its largest advantage of the night.

But then the Patriots started their comeback while the Panthers went cold. Union County went on a 15-0 run to grab a 51-48 advantage.

Knightstown broke its scoreless skein with a basket and two successful free throws to take a one-point lead at 52-51. With under a minute left to play, the Patriots canned two free throws to re-take the lead at 53-52.

Several seconds later, the Panthers were fouled and hit one of two charity tosses to tie the game at 53-all and force overtime.

In the extra session, Union County nailed a three-pointer to go on top 56-53. A little bit later, Knightstown made a two-point basket to pull to within 56-55.

With under a minute left in overtime, the Panthers fouled on a couple of different occasions and the Patriots added a free throw each time for a 58-55 lead.

Neither team scored again, so Union County went back to Liberty with the 58-55 victory.

Knightstown played Lebanon in Danville Saturday and travels to Cambridge City Lincoln this Friday for another TEC test.