Rally Falls Short As Sullivan Drops Home Finale
Sullivan had chances Friday to pull off a dramatic win against Union, but that one shot to put them over the top was elusive in the final minutes.
Down 10 entering the fourth quarter, Carter Adams and Cody McKinney stoked a comeback and trimmed the deficit to two with four minutes left.
The Eagles would go scoreless the rest of the way and fall 52-48. Sullivan (16-5) had their three-game winning streak snapped and took their first Four Rivers Conference loss.
Union (13-7) improved to 5-0 in conference play and defeated Sullivan for the third time in their last four meetings.
Friday’s game began with both teams on a tear — Union didn’t miss on their first five shots and Sullivan pumped five 3-pointers in the first quarter. They ended tied 17-17, but the Wildcats would go on a run in the second.
Jacob Towell snapped a 24-24 tie with a 3-pointer at the 2:07 mark. Peyton Burke knocked down a triple on the next possession.
After Austin Lewis went underneath to snap a scoring drought for the Eagles, Trevor Kelly rained home another trey for the Wildcats, who went up 33-26. Kale Crawford, who was nearly unstoppable from the post all night, scored with 40 seconds left.
McKinney was fouled with one second left and hit two free throws to send the Eagles into halftime trailing 35-28.
Sullivan would get a couple 3s to stay within striking distance in the third quarter, but Union had answers. After Landon Hoffman’s 3-pointer with 2:38 left got the Eagles to 40-36, Crawford responded for the Wildcats with an inside basket and a put-back, pushing the advantage back to eight.
Kelly brought the ball up, crossed over and pulled up for a 17-footer at the buzzer. Union took a 46-36 lead.
The Eagles came to life on the strength of 3-pointers by Adams and McKinney in the first minute. Crawford had a turnaround, but McKinney matched it with a steal and a fast-break to make it 48-44. Adams went strong to the hoop and finished with a drive past Crawford and 6-8 center Wil Strubberg.
Crawford was called for a double dribble on the next possession. With 3:58 to play, Jacob Rohrer was fouled and had a chance to tie the game, but couldn’t convert the free throws.
Sullivan fouled Kelly seconds later and he cashed in both attempts to extend Union’s lead back to four, 50-46. Adams again took it to the Wildcats at the rim. His drive got Sullivan back within two with 3:08 left.
Union struggled to hang on to the ball, but Sullivan was struggling to take advantage. The Eagles missed opportunities to tie or take the lead. Cameron Cunningham drew a charge with 45 seconds left to give the Eagles another chance. Adams was rejected at the rim with nine seconds to go. Union hit two free throws to wrap up the victory.