Unioto shot 53% in the second half, to rally from two seven-point deficits for a 47-46 win at Zane Trace to open the SVC Boys Basketball slate.
Zane Trace grabbed first half leads of 12-6, 15-8 and 26-19 and led at the end of the first three quarters, but Unioto led when it counted most. The Pioneers were up 12-8 after one period, 26-21 at half, but the Shermans closed that to 35-34 at the end of three.
Unioto grabbed the lead at 36-35 early in the fourth quarter, and never trailed the rest of the game. The Tanks built their biggest lead of the game at 44-37, then 46-39, before the Pioneers made their last push. ZT's full-court pressure netted two steals and buckets, cutting the Unioto lead to 46-43. The Pioneers had their chances, but could not connect on a a field goal try and two free-throws.
Unioto made it 47-43, before Cameron Evans hit a three at the horn to close the score at 47-46.
The Shermans were held in-check in the first quarter, shooting only 1/7 from the field. But for the game, Unioto was 15/36 for 42% from the field, but shot 56% in the third and 50% in the fourth quarter. They were 4/8 from the arc and 12/20 at the foul line.
Zane Trace was 20/50 for the game for 40%, including 4/8 from the arc, but were ice-cold from the charity stripe at 2/7 for 29%.
The Pioneers won the battle of the boards 31-22, with 16 offensive rebounds. But, many of ZT's put-back opportunities were missed, making a big difference in the outcome.
ZT had 12 turnovers and Unioto had 10.
Logan Swackhammer propelled the Shermans offense with 16 points, 8 from the foul line. Brandon Kennedy woke the slumbering offense with 11 of his 13 points in the second quarter- with three treys. Peyton Hill added 8 points and 6 rebounds, with 2 blocked shots.
Zane Trace was led by Isaac Beam with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Drew Rittenhouse and Cameron Evans each with 7 points and Nick Nesser added 6 points and 11 rebounds. Gabe O'Dell also had 6 points.
Unioto improves to (1-0/1-1) and now are winners of 56 consecutive SVC basketball games. The Pioneers fall to (0-1/1-2).
To hear WKKJ's broadcast of the game with Mike Smith and Tom Beard, click on our podcast link below...