Patriots Basketball– Saves best for last, Milan falls 66-58 in overtime
March 2, 2022 at 8:54 p.m.
Patriots Basketball– Saves best for last, Milan falls 66-58 in overtime
By Vivian Risch-
“We went overtime just for the fans,” good-humored UC coach Alex McCool said.
The Patriots closed out the season, 7-15, and held Milan to a 2-17 season record.
The Pats built a 19-13 first quarter lead but the Indians went on the warpath in the second quarter to hold UC to one field goal and a free throw to catch up and go ahead, 29-23, at halftime.
“We looked a little tired early, but we came back and made some shots in the second half,” McCool said. “At times we rebounded very well. Our guards did a better job and helped out on the boards.”
UC scoring returned in the third quarter with Ragen Bias, Grady Swafford, Mason Stewart and Reece Watterson all scoring to put the Pats up, 38-36, into the final eight minutes.
But it wasn’t the final period. Still on the warpath, Milan outscored UC by two that tied the score at 54-54.
UC senior Ragen Bias was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points spread over three quarters and the overtime. The 6’4” forward finished with a double, double, 20 points and 14 rebounds, and a fourth-quarter head injury while trying to score after making a steal at the other end. Bias returned to the game before the buzzer sounded.
Senior Grady Swafford also finished in double figures with six 3-point field goals and a free throw to total 19 points. Swafford matched Milan’s leading scorer, a 6’ sophomore Ben Riehle, totaled 19 points.
The overtime was all Union County beginning with a Swafford 3-pointer. UC never trailed in the overtime and led by as many as eight.
“We had a good practice yesterday and were focused tonight,” McCool said. “It’s a good feeling to take into sectional.”
McCool has watched the Patriots’ last game with Eastern Hancock - an 85-33 setback at the end of January.
“We’re a little bit of a different team than when we played them last time,” he said. “We’ve learned a lot and matured. I’m looking forward to Wednesday.”
Sectionals are here
Tuesday, March 1
Game 1 - Northeastern 49, Shenandoah 46 OT.
Game 2 - Knightstown 55, Hagerstown 47.
Wednesday, March 2
Game 3 - Union County vs Eastern Hancock.
Game 4 - Lincoln vs Centerville.
Friday, March 4
Game 5 - Northeastern vs Knightstown.
Game 6 - Game 3 winner vs Game 4 winner.
Saturday, March 5
Championship - Game 5 winner vs Game 6 winner.
Quarter scores
Milan 13 29 36 54 58ot
Union Co. 19 23 38 54 66ot
UNION COUNTY (7-15) Ty Elleman 1-4/6-6, Grady Swafford 6-0/2-19, Ragen Bias 8-4/6-20, Mason Stewart 5-1/7-11, Reece Watterson 1-3/4-5, Logan Boone 2-0-4, Gavin Davis 0-1/2-1, Brad Meadows 0-0-0. Totals: 23-14/27-66.
MILAN (2-17) Yorn 4-0-4/4-16, Riehle 7-2/2-19, Rinear 3-0-6, Morgan 3-0-7, Hartman 1-0-2/2-5, Rohrig 1-0-2, Knecht 1-0-3, Burton 0-0-0. Totals: 20-8/9-58.
3-pointers-UC 6 (Swafford). M 9 (Yorn 4, Riehle 3, Morgan, Hartman).
Rebounds-UC 39 (Stewart 16. Bias 14). M 32 (Riehle 5, Morgan 3).
Turnovers-UC 11. M 17.
Total Fouls-UC 9, M 17.
Fouled out-None.
JV Quarter scores
Union County 5 15 25 27
Milan 11 21 31 44
UC scoring: Boone 6, Smith 2, Hounchell 0-2/2-2, Meadows 2-0/2-6, Stubeda 1-0-2, Davis 4, Hollen 6.Totals: 11-8/15-27.
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“We went overtime just for the fans,” good-humored UC coach Alex McCool said.
The Patriots closed out the season, 7-15, and held Milan to a 2-17 season record.
The Pats built a 19-13 first quarter lead but the Indians went on the warpath in the second quarter to hold UC to one field goal and a free throw to catch up and go ahead, 29-23, at halftime.
“We looked a little tired early, but we came back and made some shots in the second half,” McCool said. “At times we rebounded very well. Our guards did a better job and helped out on the boards.”
UC scoring returned in the third quarter with Ragen Bias, Grady Swafford, Mason Stewart and Reece Watterson all scoring to put the Pats up, 38-36, into the final eight minutes.
But it wasn’t the final period. Still on the warpath, Milan outscored UC by two that tied the score at 54-54.
UC senior Ragen Bias was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points spread over three quarters and the overtime. The 6’4” forward finished with a double, double, 20 points and 14 rebounds, and a fourth-quarter head injury while trying to score after making a steal at the other end. Bias returned to the game before the buzzer sounded.
Senior Grady Swafford also finished in double figures with six 3-point field goals and a free throw to total 19 points. Swafford matched Milan’s leading scorer, a 6’ sophomore Ben Riehle, totaled 19 points.
The overtime was all Union County beginning with a Swafford 3-pointer. UC never trailed in the overtime and led by as many as eight.
“We had a good practice yesterday and were focused tonight,” McCool said. “It’s a good feeling to take into sectional.”
McCool has watched the Patriots’ last game with Eastern Hancock - an 85-33 setback at the end of January.
“We’re a little bit of a different team than when we played them last time,” he said. “We’ve learned a lot and matured. I’m looking forward to Wednesday.”
Sectionals are here
Tuesday, March 1
Game 1 - Northeastern 49, Shenandoah 46 OT.
Game 2 - Knightstown 55, Hagerstown 47.
Wednesday, March 2
Game 3 - Union County vs Eastern Hancock.
Game 4 - Lincoln vs Centerville.
Friday, March 4
Game 5 - Northeastern vs Knightstown.
Game 6 - Game 3 winner vs Game 4 winner.
Saturday, March 5
Championship - Game 5 winner vs Game 6 winner.
Quarter scores
Milan 13 29 36 54 58ot
Union Co. 19 23 38 54 66ot
UNION COUNTY (7-15) Ty Elleman 1-4/6-6, Grady Swafford 6-0/2-19, Ragen Bias 8-4/6-20, Mason Stewart 5-1/7-11, Reece Watterson 1-3/4-5, Logan Boone 2-0-4, Gavin Davis 0-1/2-1, Brad Meadows 0-0-0. Totals: 23-14/27-66.
MILAN (2-17) Yorn 4-0-4/4-16, Riehle 7-2/2-19, Rinear 3-0-6, Morgan 3-0-7, Hartman 1-0-2/2-5, Rohrig 1-0-2, Knecht 1-0-3, Burton 0-0-0. Totals: 20-8/9-58.
3-pointers-UC 6 (Swafford). M 9 (Yorn 4, Riehle 3, Morgan, Hartman).
Rebounds-UC 39 (Stewart 16. Bias 14). M 32 (Riehle 5, Morgan 3).
Turnovers-UC 11. M 17.
Total Fouls-UC 9, M 17.
Fouled out-None.
JV Quarter scores
Union County 5 15 25 27
Milan 11 21 31 44
UC scoring: Boone 6, Smith 2, Hounchell 0-2/2-2, Meadows 2-0/2-6, Stubeda 1-0-2, Davis 4, Hollen 6.Totals: 11-8/15-27.
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