The Union High boys basketball team came up a bit short last night.

Riverside’s Gig Jewell bucketed a putback at the buzzer to lift the Panthers to a 54-53 WPIAL nonsection home win over the Scotties.

Union (16-5) missed a foul shot in the final 10 seconds. Riverside (14-8) grabbed the rebound and raced to the other end and called timeout with 3.5 seconds to play.

The Panthers inbounded the ball, penetrated in the lane and fired up a shot, which was off the mark. Jewell got the putback to fall to lift Riverside to the win in the regular season finale for both playoff bound teams.

“I wouldn’t think it’s a down note,” Union coach Dave Smialowski said of the loss. “Riverside is a quality team; it had to be a fun game to watch.

“We’d go on a run, and then Riverside would make a run. I think this game will help us in the WPIAL playoffs. They’re a good, solid team. We just came up on the short end.”

Tre Major led the Scotties with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Joe Salmen chipped in with 14 markers and five assists. Benjamin Young added 13 points for the guests.

Tyler Falk tossed in a game-high 22 points for Riverside.