Late Rally Falls Short as Union Grove Drops 64-60 Decision to Burlington
Union Grove’s furious second half rally came up just short Wednesday night, as the Broncos fell 64-60 to Burlington at home despite erasing a double-digit deficit and tying the game in the final minutes.
Union Grove opened strong, pushing the pace early and building a 24-16 lead behind efficient offense and active defense. Burlington responded in the middle stretches of the game, seizing momentum with sustained runs that flipped the scoreboard. By the time the they reached the eight-minute mark, the Broncos found themselves trailing by 12 and in need of a surge on both ends of the floor.
The team answered with one of its best stretch of the night, tightening defensively, pressuring in the full court and attacking the rim to chip away at Burlington’s advantage. Possession by possession, Union Grove climbed back into contention, eventually pulling even at 58-58 with about two minutes remaining. The comeback was fueled by timely scoring, rebounding, and defensive stops, as the Broncos repeatedly strung together key plays under pressure.
Senior guard Griffin Schultz led Union Grove with a standout all-around performance, posting a game-high 22 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Tyler Johnson provided a strong scoring complement, finishing with 18 points and five rebounds while attacking the glass and giving the Broncos a reliable presence offensively.
Defensively, Union Grove’s toughness showed in the closing stretch. Quinn Schultz contributed eight points and made a major impact on the other end of the floor, drawing two charges and helping turn the tide with effort plays. The Broncos also benefited from key sacrifice plays by Caden Tajnai and Colten Tajnai, each of whom stepped in to take a charge, underscoring the team’s commitment to standing in and making winning defensive plays.
Despite tying the game late, Union Grove was unable to complete the comeback, as Burlington answered in the final possessions to edge in front and close out the four-point win. Even in defeat, the Broncos’ response to a 12-point deficit and their ability to battle back to even in the final minutes highlighted the group’s resilience and competitive edge.
Union Grove will look to build on the strong stretches from Tuesday's contest as the Broncos continue through their schedule seeking to turn those close finishes into wins.
