Union County beats NE, 68-45, are 2012 TEC champions

With confidence tucked into their back pockets, the Union County Patriots defeated Northeastern, 68-45, last week to become the 2012 the Tri-Eastern Conference Champions.

The 2011-12 Union County Patriots Tri-Eastern Conference Championship totally wipes out a 27-year drought.

The 7-0 Patriots started strong and remained strong on both offense and defense to win Union County’s first TEC title since 1985.

UC soundly shut down the Knights to take a 21-10 first quarter lead and kept the pressure on.

Four Patriots finished in double-figures, Donald Burroughs (16 pts.), Brad Hartman (14 pts.), Matt Baker (11 pts.) and Trey Hannebaum (10 pts.).

Burroughs was hot from the start, scoring 13 points in first half, and going on to earn game-high honors. Burroughs and Braden Norris led the team in rebounds with four each. J.J. Fleming had three for the Knights.

The Patriots held a 31-14 halftime lead, and although the Knights didn’t give in, they could not keep pace in the second half.

Mason Slinker led the Knights with 14 points.

The win gave UC a perfect 7-0 record and a 14-2 overall record. Northeastern dropped to 1-4 in the TEC and 7-8 overall.

The Patriots host Randolph Southern this Friday, Feb. 17, then go on the road to North Decatur for a game re-scheduled from Jan. 21.

UC closes out the regular season on Friday, Feb.24 with Milan visiting on Senior Night.

Stats and Scores

Quarter scores

Union County 21 31 53 68

Northeastern 10 14 28 45

UNION COUNTY (14-2) Burroughs 6-0-16, Baker 4-2/4-11, Hartman 4-6/8-14, VanWinkle 3-0-7, Schienbein 3-0-7, Norris 1-1/2-3, Hannebaum 1-8/10-10, Gills 0-0-0, Scott 0-0-0, Goecke 0-0-0. Totals: 22-17/24-68.

NORTHEASTERN (7-8) Reed 1-2.2-4, Claypoole 0-0-0, Slinker 3-8/9-14, Adams 1-1/2-3, Fleming 0-0-0, Esposito 1-1/2-3, Scripture 2-0-5, Bell 2-0-6, Smith 2-3/7-9, Dingworth 1-1.2-4. Totals: 12-15/22-45.

3-pointers-NE 6 Scripture 1, Bell 2, Smith 2, Dingworth 1). UC 7 (Burroughs 4, Schienbein 1, VanWinkle 1, Baker 1).

Rebounds-NE 13 (Fleming 3). UC 18 (Burroughs 4, Norris 4).

Turnovers-NE 12. UC 12.

Total Fouls-NE 24. UC 12.

Fouled out-None.