01/11/2026
The Union County Lady Patriots went toe-to-toe with Class 2A No. 10-ranked Eastern Hancock Lady Royals this evening, battling down to the final seconds before falling by two in a tightly contested matchup.
The game opened at a fast pace, with Eastern Hancock holding a slim 9–8 edge at the end of the first quarter. Union County responded with strong defensive pressure and timely scoring in the second period, edging ahead 23–22 by halftime.
The second half continued to mirror the intensity of the first, as neither team was able to create separation. Union County carried a 35–34 lead into the fourth quarter, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With just 32 seconds remaining, the Lady Patriots held a two-point advantage. Eastern Hancock answered by tying the game with 25 seconds left, then capitalized on a late turnover to score again with 11 seconds remaining, taking a two-point lead of their own. Union County had the ball under their basket and got a shot off but unable to get it to fall before the final buzzer.
Both teams battled physically throughout the contest, with each side committing over 15 fouls, underscoring the hard-fought nature of the game.
Despite the tough loss, Union County proved they can compete with one of the top teams in Class 2A, showing resilience, composure, and determination throughout all four quarters.
The Union County Lady Patriots JV team put together a strong, wire-to-wire performance to earn a 34–28 victory over the Eastern Hancock Lady Royals.
Union County set the tone early, jumping out to a 12–2 lead at the end of the first quarter with aggressive defense and balanced scoring. Eastern Hancock made a push in the second period, but the Lady Patriots stayed composed and went into halftime holding a 22–18 advantage.
The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Union County continuing to control the pace and keeping their 4 point lead with a 26–22 score heading into the final period. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Patriots remained steady, making key plays on both ends of the floor to close out the game and secure the 34–28 win.
Leading in each quarter, Union County showed consistency, teamwork, and defensive effort throughout the contest, earning a well-deserved JV victory over the Lady Royals.
The Lady Patriots will next be in action at home on Tuesday, January 13th as they take on Mississinawa Valley. JV tip off will be at 6pm with Varsity to follow.
Scoring for the Lady Patriots:
Varsity
Brooklyn Beck 15pts
Aubrey Beck 11pts
Kaybree Suttle 7pts
Kinley Sidell 6pts
Haleigh Buttery 4pts
Nora Robinson 3pts
Natalie Long 1pt
JV
Ari Dunaway 12pts
Kenidee Lynch 9pts
Melanie Goecke 4pts
Olivia Ti**le 4pts
Sophie Pentecost 3pts
Brooke Curry 2pts