The Union County girls basketball team used two huge quarters to eliminate Clinton on Friday night, 53-24.

The Lady Jackets set the pace early, storming to a 15-1 lead in the first quarter. Clinton briefly recovered in the second, adding 12 points to its effort to pull within 13 points at intermission, 26-13. The Jackets outscored the Devils 9-7 in the third before dominating the final frame, 18-4. CeeCee Moorman turned in a double-double for Union County with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Kristin Giles led all scorers with 13 points while Cierra Mitchell added 12 and freshman Dexlie Inman netted nine points including two three-pointers. With the win, the Lady Jackets improve to 12-4 overall, 4-1 in Region III-AAA.

In Boys Action

The Jackets were plagued with turnovers on Friday night and the result was a 73-52 loss to Clinton on the road. The Red Devils took control early with a 10-2 run in the opening minutes. The Jackets’ struggle to find an offensive rhythm was aggravated by the Devils defensive pressure. Clinton came away with six steals in the first quarter and built an eight point lead that it held through the second.

The Red Devils repeatedly forced turnovers that often led to easy baskets at the other end, frustrating the Jackets with a 20-8 third quarter before setting the cruise control.

Roscoe Johnson led the Union County scoring with 11 points and Tre Eison added t10. With the loss, the Jackets fall to 1-18 overall and 0-5 in the region.

Both UCHS boys and girls teams host Chapman on Tuesday night in Region III-AAA match-ups.