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By Dave Mackall
For the Mirror
GREENSBURG -- Northern Bedford challenged the defending champs, and the Panthers earned Union's respect.
They impressed their own coach, too.
"I think we surprised some people," Northern Bedford's Jon Ewart said in defeat.
Indeed, in the end, the Scotties were too much for Ewart's team.
Kelly Cleaver scored 17 points and Kylie Fruehstorfer added 16, and Union pulled away in the fourth quarter to a 52-42 victory in a PIAA Class 1A second-round playoff game against upset-minded Northern Bedford on Wednesday.
The start of the contest was delayed 15 minutes because New Castle-based Union's bus arrived late to Hempfield High School in Westmoreland County after detouring around a traffic jam caused by downed wires on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Allegheny County.
Once the game began, WPIAL champion Union, which defeated Lourdes Regional of District 4 in the 2023 PIAA Class 1A championship, made just enough plays to survive.
The Scotties pulled away from a one-point, third-quarter lead by outscoring Northern Bedford 17-8 in the final period, sparked by nine points from Cleaver and seven from Fruehstorfer.
"We sort of slowed down at times in the second half and we just couldn't keep pace down the stretch," Ewart said. "But I'm proud of our girls for the determination they showed against a very good team, a team that has played on a big stage."
Union (21-5) carried a slim 35-34 edge into the fourth quarter before its playoff experience took over. Fruehstorfer's 3-point shot ignited a 7-0 run to start the final period, giving the Scotties a 42-34 cushion.
Mariah Hall's 3-pointer for Northern Bedford cut the lead to five, but Union put away the outcome, scoring five consecutive points to grab its first double-digit lead in the closing minutes.
"It's upsetting, but I'm glad we made it as far as we did," said Hall, who led District 5 runner-up Northern Bedford (16-10) with 21 points.
The Mount Aloysius recruit made five of Northern Bedford's 10 3-point shots.
"They shot the lights out on us," Union coach Rob Nogay said. "We really didn't expect that. It kept our players honest. Teams are in the state playoffs for a reason. Everyone gives their best effort, and they obviously did. Hall is one of the better players we've seen. To be in situations like this, it's only going to help you."
Union will now face District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The Lady Marauders won, 47-21, over DuBois Central Catholic.
In the first half, Union led by as many as eight points -- 21-13 at the end of the first quarter --before Northern Bedford took a 24-21 lead on a 3-pointer by Alyssa Yeatts, who added 11 points for the Panthers.
But Union scored six points to close out the half and led 27-24.
"I was extremely pleased with our start. We played with a lot of emotion and intensity in the first half," Ewart said.
Northern Bedford opened the second half with consecutive 3-pointers by Hall and Leah Swanseen to go ahead, 30-27. But Union took the lead for good, using an 8-0 run, capped by Fruehstorfer's 3-pointer, for a 35-30 advantage.
The outcome ended a landmark season for Northern Bedford, which won its first state playoff game in girls basketball by beating District 9 Ridgway in the first round.
"I think we've set a new standard for our school and our team," Hall said. "It shows where hard work can get you."
NORTHERN BEDFORD (42): Hall 7 2-2 21, Swanseen 2 0-0 6, McIlnay 0 0-0 0, Heck 2 0-0 4, Yeatts 4 0-0 11, Love 0 0-0 0, Baker 0 0-0 0. Totals -- 15 2-2 42.
UNION (52): Cameron 1 0-0 3, Fruehstorfer 4 4-4 16, Cleaver 5 7-10 17, Preuhs 2 2-2 6, Nobay 0 1-2 1, Gunn 4 0-0 9. Totals -- 16 14-18 52.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Northern Bedford 13 11 10 8 -- 42
Union 21 6 8 17 -- 52
3-point goals: Northern Bedford 10 (Hall 5, Yeatts 3, Swanseen 2); Union 6 (Fruehstorfer 4, Cameron, Gunn).
Records: Northern Bedford (16-10); Union (21-5).