The win stopped a two-game Tri-County Conference losing streak for the Vikings.
The game was close from start to finish, with first one team taking the lead, and then the other. The game was tied three times in the first quarter before Joey Frye hit a three-point field goal to give Union Pines a 14-11 lead at the end of the first period.
At the start of the second period, a basket by McCrimmon and a three-point field goal by Alex Martin put the Vikings up by eight points, their largest lead of the game. The Comets rallied, however, to take the lead at the half, 29-27.
The two teams traded baskets at the beginning of the third quarter. Then Martin converted two free throws to tie the game at 31-all. Midway through the third period, the Vikings took the lead again on baskets by Joseph Daley and Derrick Brower. A basket by Grantham cut the lead to two points, but Brower and Daley combined for four more points for Union Pines, making the score Union Pines 41, Asheboro 35. The Comets cut the lead to three points at the end of the third period, 46-43.
Union Pines held a narrow lead throughout the fourth quarter, but just at the end of the fourth period, Grantham completed a three-point play, with a basket and a free throw, to tie the score, 61-61, and the game went into overtime.
Asheboro took the lead on a basket by Grantham as the four-minute overtime period got under way. Derrick Brower answered with a basket for Union Pines. Again Grantham and Brower traded baskets, then a basket by Logan Judge gave the Comets the lead again, 67-65. Brower was fouled in the act of shooting and converted both free throws to tie the score again at 67-all.
Once again Brower was fouled, and again he made two shots from the charity stripe to put the Vikings up by two points, 69-67. Terrence Cheek then scored for the Comets to tie the game once again with only 7.0 seconds left on the clock in the overtime.
The ball was inbounded to McCrimmon, who took it down the floor and hit a jump shot from just inside the free throw circle. Time expired before Asheboro could call another time out, and the Vikings prevailed by a score of 71-69.
“I knew we had problems when we lost our two big men on fouls.” said Comets’ Coach Martin Smith after the game. “But the boys hung in there. I was proud of the way the team played tonight.”
“It was a good win for us,” said Vikings’ coach Bobby Purvis. “It’s still early in the season, and we’ve got a lot of games to play yet. Right now we’re 4-2 in the conference.”
Grantham was high for the game, scoring 31 points for Asheboro, and Brower was high for Union Pines with 26 points. Martin and Daley scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Vikings.
Union Pines will play at Southwest Randolph on Tuesday.
Susan Coore, who retired from teaching at Union Pines High School this year, was honored at the intermission. Coore served under three principals at Union Pines: Dr. George Griffin, Dr. Larry Riggan and Robin Lee, and all three were present for the ceremony. Coore was active for many years in the Booster organization for Union Pines athletics. Her son, Hunter, who served as the Vikings’ trainer during his time at Union Pines, was also present.
Union Pines: Brower 10 6-7 26; Martin 5 2-2 13; Daley 6 0-1 12; McCrimmon 2 3-4 7; McLeod 2 0-0 4; Frye 1 0-0 3; Collins 1 0-0 3; Fields 0 3-6 3. Totals: 27 14-20 71
Asheboro:: Grantham 11 9-11 31; 5 2-2 12; Camp 3 5-6 11; Green 3 0-2 6; Cheek 2 0-0 4; Frye 1 0-0 3; Siler 1 0-2 2. Totals: 26 16-23 69.
Three-Point Goals: Union Pines 3 (Martin, Frye, Cokkins); Asheboro 1 (Frye).
