The Union High School boys basketball team went from being tied for dead last in Region 10 to second place after 32 minutes of play and a 65-50 win over American Leadership Academy on Tuesday night. However, Union isn't alone in second as they were tied with Carbon, Park City and ALA at 2-3 records going into Region 10 games that were played on Friday, Feb. 5. First and second place teams from Region 10 will have home games in the first round of the 3-A State Tournament.

Union jumped out to a 4-0 lead on buckets by Paul Nelson and Braxten Nielsen, and Spencer Ross' jumper had the Cats up 6-2. Earlier Thatcher Lamb hit two free throws for ALA's first points of the game with 5:43 left in the first quarter, and hit a basket to tie up the game at 6-6.

However, Union's Daniel Potter, who has been on a roll the last few games, zapped in a three-pointer near the top of the key for a 9-6 edge. Union got into a groove for three straight buckets by Ross, Nielsen and Dylan Braithwaite to lead 15-6. Braithwaite's basket was a jet to the hoop.

“We just put them (baskets) down and went after ALA,” said Braithwaite. “We got them (ALA) down and made them stay down.”

After two more free throws by Lamb of ALA, Nielsen drilled a shot for a 17-8 Cougar edge. Nielsen continued his red hot shooting with a three-pointer (scored seven points in the first quarter), and Potter planted a bucket with five seconds left for a 22-10 Cat lead after one quarter.

A Colton Jacobson hoop had Union up by 12 points at 24-12 early in the second quarter, but ALA went on a 6-0 run to close within six at 24-18. T. Lamb cooked up a three-pointer and Zach Morrell hit a two for ALA.

Jacobson and Brandon Lamb scooted to the hoop to give Union a 28-18 edge. A three-point play by Dylan Braithwaite plus buckets by Nielsen and Jacobson had Union with a commanding lead of 13 points at 35-22 and looking for revenge for a region opening loss to ALA in Spanish Fork last month.

Ross added a field goal and Jacobson hit a free throw plus blocked a shot. ALA's Lamb was steaming on a three-pointer at the buzzer. Union led 38-27 at the half.

Union didn't cool off during halftime as they pumped in the first three two-pointers of the second half with Lamb's jet-type move putting the Cats up by 17 counters at 44-27. A layup by Marcus Monsen had ALA down by ten points.

Jacobson got busy in the final minutes for a three and a two-pointer. His last basket came with 15 seconds left to give Union a 49-36 lead after three quarters.

“We wanted to win. We went from last place (were tied with ALA) to second place in 32 minutes (a game consists of four eight minute quarters),” said Jacobson.

Braithwaite didn't wait too long as he pumped in a shot and Lamb sizzled at the net to present Union with an 11-point edge of 54-43. Union went on a 6-0 dash with Potter firing in a three, Nielsen hitting a two and Lamb connecting on a free throw to go up by 60-45.

Union continued its hot streak by scoring five of the final seven points on counters by Wes Crozier, Lamb (free throws) and Potter (field goal) to go on to a 65-50 win over ALA.

Dillon Murray came off the bench and helped Union on its way to a victory that pulled the Cats out of last place.

“It is a good feeling to get the monkey off our back,” Murray said.

Union Coach Jeff Hanke was naturally happy with the win over ALA.

“We had no options – we had to have that win. We went from last to second place. I hope second place comes down to our final home game with Carbon on Feb. 12,” said Coach Hanke. “We wanted it more and were more intense. ALA came back to within ten points, but we were able to execute our plays and score.”

Jacobson and Nielsen combined for 27 points with Jacobson pumping in 14 and Nielsen 13. Potter added 10. Potter hit two threes and Nielsen, Jacobson one each. Also scoring for Union were: Lamb, Braithwaite, 8; Ross, 6; Nelson, 5; Crozier, 1. Union hit 27 field goals and was 6 for 12 in free throw shooting.

Lambs feasted at the basket for ALA with Thatcher and Jordan Lamb combining for 29 points. Thatcher had 21 and Jordan eight. Union's Lamb (Brandon) also netted eight counters.

“We worked hard and came out shooting to start the game and got them to go down,” said Union's Lamb.

Morrell added 16 for American Leadership Academy. ALA hit 17 field goals and tossed in 14 out of 21 foul pitches.