MACON, Ga. – It had been 54 years since Union County had last played for a state title.
Unfortunately, the Panthers will have to wait at least another year as Butler snuffed out their bid for the Class 2A crown in a 57-49 victory at the Macon Centreplex on Thursday.
A pair of Bulldogs posted double-doubles, with Kwamane Bridges throwing down 22 points to go with 12 rebounds and De’Cori Fleming adding 11 points and 14 boards as they were able to find seams in the Panthers’ 1-3-1 zone defense.
It was a tough shooting first half for the Panthers. They were just 6-of-20 from the field and a dismal 1-of-12 from 3-point range. Yet, they found themselves down just 33-24 because they took advantage of some Butler foul trouble, hitting 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
The Panthers never led but the game was tied 2-2 in the opening minute. Bridges scored 7 points in the period, with his 3-pointer giving the Bulldogs a 20-9 lead.
Butler eventually ran their lead up to 27-15 midway through the second before a 5-0 run pulled the Panthers within 27-20.
Union County got within a point to open the fourth quarter at 45-44 on 3-pointers from Hayden Hughes and Houston Henry. But they once again again went ice cold, managing just 5 points and one field goal over the final 7 minutes.
Butler dominated the boards outrebounding Union County 46-28 with 16 offensive rebounds that led to 10 huge points. The Panthers forced 13 Bulldogs turnovers for 18 points but in the end they shot just 28% from the field for the game.
Hughes finished with 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers in the second half, to lead Union County. Henry added 12 points and Vince Marevka 10 points.
