The Union High boys basketball team grabbed a big lead, then held off a Riverside comeback in a 54-49 nonsection win.

Markel Peace tickled the twine for 17 points and Toryan Respress added 11 last night to help the Scotties improve to 1-2.

Union jumped out to a 15-4 margin after the first quarter and led 28-13 at the half, but the Panthers came roaring back.

“We came out pretty intense and we really had the pressure working in the first half,” Scotties coach Dave Smialowski said. “But Riverside is a good team and we knew they were going to make a run. They have nice size inside and they beat us up a little, but we went zone and it seemed to throw them off.

“Our kids showed a lot of character,” he added. “Markel really attacked the hoop well and Drew (Robinson) had a couple of big free throws down the stretch. They didn’t seem to get rattled by the comeback.”

The Panthers (2-1) got 23 points from Tyler Falk.

Peace had six rebounds and Robinson chalked up five assists for the victors.