Trailing most of the night, the Union basketball Wildcats found life in the second half against Warrenton Thursday.
Warrenton went on a 10-2 run over the final 1:48 to earn the victory, 55-47.
Union (1-3) led briefly in the third quarter, 34-33, and twice tied the Warriors in the fourth quarter.
But after earning a 45-45 tie, the Wildcats managed just two free throws down the stretch while the Warriors got hot once again.
The Wildcats open Four Rivers Conference play Tuesday at home against Pacific. JV action begins at 6 p.m.
In Thursday’s game, the Wildcats fought from behind most of the night. After tying it at 43-43 with 3:41 to play on a pair of Ashton Dehn free throws, Union couldn’t find a way to take the lead.
But the Wildcats had chances. After Brandon Ford blocked a shot, Union missed a pair of free throws with 3:12 to play.
Warrenton took the lead again on a TJ LaFaver basket with 2:13 to play but Blake Hulsey tied it again with a reverse layup at 45-45.
The game stayed tied until Warrenton’s Alec Tonioli hit one free throw with 1:48 to play to put the Warriors ahead to stay.
LaFaver hit a three-point basket with 1:22 left to make it 49-45.
Union’s final points came on a pair of free throws by Nick Ziegler with 1:09 remaining, cutting the lead to 49-47.
Warrenton’s final six points came from free throws as Union had to foul to gain possessions.
The Warriors were led in scoring by LaFaver, who scored 18 points.
Matt Schneider and Tonioli each scored 10 points. Ron Richardson closed the contest with nine points.
Trevor Bradshaw and Devin Roberts scored four points apiece for Warrenton.
The Warriors scored 13 two-point baskets, five three-point shots and went 14-20 from the free-throw line.
Union was paced by Hulsey’s 14 points.
Nick Ziegler also reached double digits with 10 points.
Dehn scored eight points while Ford contributed seven points, TJ Vitt ended with six and Brian Borgmann netted two points.
Union hit 13 two-point baskets, three three-point shots and went 12-17 from the free-throw line.
