North Union’s Gabby Ziegler goes up for a shot in this file photo. Ziegler led NU with 15 points during Monday’s victory at Graham. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Gabby Ziegler scored a team-high 15 points Monday evening as North Union’s girls varsity hoop squad defeated Graham, 43-38.
Ziegler was sharp from both the field and the free throw line. She connected on six-of-nine shots from the floor and went three-for-four at the charity stripe.
Graham took a 15-9 advantage after the first quarter on its home floor.
The Lady Cats’ defense stifled the Falcons during the ensuing set.
Graham managed just two points during the eight-minute session and trailed, 23-17, at the halftime break.
North Union’s offense cooled off during the third quarter and tallied only seven points.
The Lady Cats, however, still took a 30-28 edge into the fourth stanza.
The free throw line proved to be very vital for North Union.
The Lady Cats hit 16-of-26 from the charity stripe, as compared to the Falcons’ four-of-11 effort.
North Union’s free throw performance offset a difficult night shooting from the field.
The Lady Cats hit only 25 percent from the floor, including just one-of-15 from beyond the three-point arc.
Graham, on the other hand, shot 40 percent from the field and connected on four-of-11 three-pointers.
North Union’s defense also played a critical role in the game.
The Lady Cats came up with 11 steals and forced the Falcons into 16 turnovers.
North Union closed out the regular season with a 13-8 record.
The Lady Cats will host Fredericktown next Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., in the Division III tournament opener.
North Union
Ziegler 6-3-15, Ruhl 2-4-9, Blevins 3-2-8, Marvin 1-4-6, Bacon 0-3-3, Amstutz 1-0-2, Hoffman 0-0-0, Guy 0-0-0, Deickert 0-0-0. Totals 13-16-43.
Three-point goals: Ruhl 1.
Graham
Nash 6-1-15, King 4-0-9, Bailey 3-0-7, Yukon 2-2-6, Cupps 0-1-1, Shoemaker 0-0-0, Kite 0-0-0, Werner 0-0-0, Kemp 0-0-0. Totals 15-4-38.
Three-point goals: Nash 2, King 1, Bailey 1.
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