UC girls basketball team stays hot with win over Linden
The Union Catholic girls basketball team continued their impressive play on Saturday, securing a 52-41 victory over Linden at home.
With the win, the Vikings have now claimed 6 victories in their last 7 games, marking the best start for the program since the 2019-2020 season, when they opened with a 7-1 record.
The victory improved Union Catholic's overall record to 6-2, and the team showed resilience after a tight first quarter. Linden, despite their 2-9 record, came out with energy, but the Vikings quickly took control with a dominant second quarter, outscoring Linden 15-8. They maintained their lead throughout the game, especially with a strong third quarter where they scored 19 points, extending their advantage to a comfortable margin heading into the final period.
Emily Mattson had a well-rounded performance for UC, scoring 12 points and contributing 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Her ability to drive to the basket and score in various ways was key to Union Catholic's offensive success.
Gabrielle Ziegenbalg, who celebrated her 18th birthday on Friday, led the Vikings with 15 points, including 3 three-pointers, and adding 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Her perimeter shooting was a critical factor in the team's ability to stretch Linden's defense.
Hailey Mullaney continued to demonstrate her versatility, contributing 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. She was active on both ends of the court, providing the Vikings with energy and playmaking. Additionally,
Sabrina Hackett and
Sophie Peterson both had key performances, with Hackett contributing 2 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Peterson adding 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.
On the defensive end, Union Catholic was effective in limiting Linden's scoring opportunities. Linden's top scorer, Janali Thomas, finished with 11 points, but the Vikings' defense held the rest of the team in check. The Vikings' team-oriented approach helped them force turnovers and disrupt Linden's offensive flow, particularly in the second half.
