UNION — With a berth in the Class 1A state tournament at stake, the Powder Valley girls never let top-seeded Union take control.

But the Bobcats held off every Badger rally and went on to a 58-44 win Friday night, Feb. 28, in the Union gym.

Union won the teams’ two regular season games by 13 and 19 points.

But Friday’s game, played before a loud crowd, was close almost the entire way.

Union’s lead never exceeded 10 points until the final minute.

The Bobcats, 24-2 on the season, led 43-34 early in the fourth quarter but the Badgers rallied.

Maylee Martin made the first of two free throws, rebounded her own miss on the second and passed to Janie Bingham who hit a 3-pointer from the corner to cut the lead to 43-38 with 5 minutes left.

Union led 47-40 but the Badgers answered yet again, this time with Janie Bingham’s 3-pointer to get Powder to within 47-43 with 3 minutes left.

But the Bobcats finished the game with an 11-1 run.

After a fast-paced first quarter by both teams, with Union leading 23-17, the Badgers held the Bobcats to just 16 points combined in the third and fourth quarters.

First quarter

The Bobcats led 9-2 early but the Badgers rallied behind hot outside shooting, as Kellee Dixon, Ryleigh Phillips and Janie Bingham all hit outside shots to keep the Badgers within 14-13.

Dixon then drove the lane for a tough bank shot that gave Powder Valley a brief 15-14 lead.

Union responded with three straight baskets, all from the key, to go up 20-15.

Union hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lead 23-17 after the first quarter.

Second quarter

Both offenses slowed in the second quarter, with Union outscoring the Badgers 8-6 to extend its lead to 31-23 at halftime.

Third quarter

Union pushed the lead to 37-27, but Dixon and Jaycee Gray had consecutive baskets and Maylee Martin made a free throw to cut the lead in half, at 37-32.

Dixon then had a steal and a layin to get the Badgers to within 37-34.

Union led 39-34 after three quarters.