By Ryan Storz
For three quarters, Union was poised for an upset.
The fifth-seeded Lady Wildcats led 30-28 over the defending district champions, but Sullivan ended the game on an 8-0 run to win 44-36 and shoot past Union to the semifinals of the Class 4 District 4 tournament.
It was freshman Jessica Heinle that pushed the Lady Eagles in the fourth quarter. While Carissa Richardson led all scorers with 22 points, Heinle scored seven points in the final period that helped hold Union back.
Another freshman, Sierra Fuchs, hit a three-pointer to open up the fourth quarter and put Sullivan on top.  Union tied the game twice, but Richardson hit the go-ahead basket late in the quarter.
After beating up on Union two weeks earlier, Sullivan was challenged from the start. Sullivan trailed 8-3 midway through the first quarter before coming back. Three baskets by Richardson and a three-pointer by Jett Bouckaert put Sullivan ahead.
Sullivan led all the way to the 2:20 mark in the second quarter when Erin Neier hit a three-pointer to give the Lady Wildcats a 19-16 lead.
Heinle sent Sullivan into the second half with a 21-19 lead on a three-pointer.
Seven lead changes highlighted the third quarter and the teams were separated by only one point until Samantha Burkett scored with 35 seconds left to give Union a 30-27 lead.
Heinle added 10 points for the Lady Eagles with five rebounds, two steals and one assist.
Bouckaert scored eight points with four steals, two assists and one rebound.
Sierra Fuchs scored three points.
Jessie Landwehr added one point, three assists and two offensive rebounds.