The Neshannock High girls basketball team showed its offensive depth last night.

Clutch free throws propelled the host Lady Lancers in the waning moments of a 48-45 nonsection triumph over Union.

“It wasn’t a pretty one,” Neshannock coach Luann Grybowski said. “Sometimes you win ugly. It was one of those nights.”

The game had the makings of a blowout early, as the Lady Lancers (9-9 overall) scored the first 16 points. The Lady Scots (10-8) fought back, going on a 16-2 run of their own.

Neshannock shot 3 of 25 from 3-point range — an uncharacteristic performance from a team that has four shooters with at least 13 on the season.

“It got to a point where I said to not shoot threes,” Grybowski said. “The rebounds were all going long and we were getting one shot off them.”

Union’s combination of twin sisters Marissa and Miranda Heaney were the ones causing damage from three-point range, combining for six. Miranda finished with a game-high 18 points while Marissa tallied 13.

“At times we did a good job on the sisters, and others we didn’t do a very good job,” Grybowski said. “I have to give them credit.”

The Lady Lancers showed their abilities from the free-throw line with a minute remaining, shooting 4 of 4 to pull off the win. Another team strength this season, Neshannock features five shooters in the free-throw category on the county leaderboard. The Lady Lancers’ Madison McHale is leading the county in free-throw percentage, going 62 of 72 on the season (86.1 percent). McHale also paced the winners with 15 points. Tayler Grybowski, the coach’s daughter, was next with nine.

With the victory, Neshannock reached the .500 mark for the first time this season.

“To be .500 is a good thing,” Grybowski said. “I’m proud of the girls for playing hard. Going into our last four games, hopefully, we’ll prepare ourselves for the playoffs.”