By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

The Union High boys basketball team took care of business last night.

Markel Peace paced the Scotties with 23 points in a 63-57 WPIAL Section 1-A road win over Cornell.

Union (6-2 section, 15-3 overall), ranked fourth in the district in Class A by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, built a 33-16 halftime advantage. The Scotties were never in danger of relinquishing the lead in the second half.

Union was playing its third game in the last four days. The Scotties won the first meeting with the Raiders, 73-30.

“In the first half, we came out with a lot of energy,” Scotties coach Dave Smialowski said. “We pushed the ball and got up on them.

“Cornell went into a zone in the second half and they held their own. We got a little tired. Our legs weren’t totally there in the fourth quarter, but we kept the distance we needed.”

The win sets up Tuesday’s rematch against Lincoln Park (8-0, 14-5) on Union’s home floor. The Leopards, ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL in Class A by the Post-Gazette, won the first matchup, 72-57.

“If you can’t get up for that one, I don’t know why you’re playing,” Smialowski said. “It’s our senior night. It should be an exciting one.”

Peace netted 14 of his points in the first half. Joe Salmen was next with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Tre Major and Benjamin Young tossed in eight markers for the winners. Major pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and Drew Robinson handed out five assists.

“Markel has been our most consistent scorer all year,” Smialowski said. “Joe had a solid all-around game. He controls the game a lot for us; they both performed well for us.”

Dane Jackson registered a game-best 26 points for Cornell (0-8, 3-15).