HUNTINGDON - Second-quarter play proved to be pivotal for Mount Union Thursday in the girls portion of the Huntingdon Lions Christmas basketball tournament at Juniata College.
Unfortunately for the Trojans, the second turned into a nightmare in the opener, which they lost 49-39 to Juniata Valley. But in the consolation game, the second was a chance for reflection and motivation, enough that Mount Union ended the day on a winning note, 45-34 over Southern Huntingdon.
The event had to be played in full in one day - including four boys games - because of a weather postponement.
In the opener, a 13-10 lead evaporated as the Hornetrs held Mount Union without a score the rest of the way to the break.
"We had a lead and we got comfortable. We don't play consistently for four quarters," Mount Union coach Jenny Cunningham said.
Tynita White put in a 19-point performance on the score sheet in that game.
The second contest was again lackluster at the start, with the Rockets taking an early lead - and that's when Cunningham took drastic action, sitting the starting five and giving her JV team a turn on the floor. It worked - the youngsters matched Southern Huntingdon into the break, and the Trojans were on fire coming out of the locker room.
"I said to them I didn't care if we lost. I wasn't going to have them out there playing how we shouldn't be playing," Cunningham said. "I don't know any other way."
White was the scoring leader in that one as well, with 10.
Mount Union (4-4) travels to Moshannon Valley Jan. 3.
Boys basketball
Northern Bedford 56, Mount Union 49
MOUNT UNION - Despite a strong comeback try in the fourth, Mount Union came up short against Northern Bedford Thursday in an Inter-County Conference boys basketball game.
It was the lone game on the slate that was not played in a tournament.
The Trojans trailed from the second quarter after an early lead, and were able to stay in the game down the stretch. They got within four points with three minutes to go, but no closer.
"I was disappointed we didn't do the little things, getting loose balls and making layups," coach Joe Komir said.
Northern Bedford had too many second and third chances, he said, which made the game more physical and caused fouls. The visitors picked up 17 points at the charity stripe in on 28 attempts.
In the JV game, Mount Union won 58-17 behind a trio of double-digit scorers: Anthony Gilbert (15), Klayton Heffner (13) and Kole House, whose 12 in the JV game was complemented by 13 in the varsity contest, where he was the only scorer over 10.
The Trojans (5-3, 2-1) travel to Moshannon Valley Jan. 4.
Postponed
Mount Union wrestling
Mount Union's Inter-County Conference dual meet at Claysburg-Kimmel was postponed Thursday due to road conditions near the host school. A makeup date is forthcoming.
