CHERRY TWP — The Union boys basketball team had four days to stew over a loss to Venango Catholic last week.

That defeat snapped the Golden Knights' 13-game winning streak. Worse yet, Union coach Karen Davis said her team didn't play up to its usual level.

“We did not play well up there,” Davis said. “I was a little worried about having the days off and playing on Monday — I hate playing on Monday.

“But it worked out for us,” Davis added.

It sure did.

Before the Golden Knights' game at Moniteau Monday night was even six minutes old, they led 20-2.

Union spent the next 26-plus minutes maintaining that advantage and cruised to a 62-41 win.

“I thought before the game they were the better team,” said Moniteau coach Randy Armagost. “They are.”

Brody Pollock scored 11 of his 18 points in the opening quarter as Union shot 11-of-14 from the floor.

Many of those baskets were easy layups off Moniteau misses and turnovers.

The Warriors (11-4, 4-1) were simply beat down the floor.

“They probably could have beat us by 50 tonight,” Armagost said. “They move the ball very well. They have good shot selection and they have eight kids who can handle the ball. They are a great team.”

While Union (15-2, 5-0) was running the floor and running its offense at peak efficiency, Moniteau struggled to attack the Golden Knights' 3-2 zone.

Keystone employed the defense against the Warriors Friday night, but Moniteau was able to solve it enough to win.

No such success came against Union, mainly because the Warriors couldn't get the Knights to abandon it by shooting 18-of-52 from the floor.

“We can't shoot,” Armagost said. “Everyone knows that.”

Union, though, has a way of making normally potent teams look pedestrian.

Taylor Smith, who also had 18 points, was stellar again on defense with a handful of steals. Mikey Harris, thrust back into the starting lineup because of a knee injury to Brody Shick, had a double-double and five steals.

The zone helped Union build a 26-6 lead after the first quarter and a 39-18 advantage at the half.

Still, Davis was not breathing easy.

“I told them at halftime, ‘This game is far from over,'” Davis said. “I know that lead can go away just like that against a team like that.”

But Union was able to keep a comfortable cushion.

Moniteau only got as close as 15 in the third quarter and never threatened.

The Golden Knights shot 57 percent from the field to help keep the Warriors at a distance.

Meanwhile, the Union defense and foul trouble slowed down Kyle Armagost, who came into the game as Butler County's leading scorer at nearly 25 points per game.

He had just two points at the half and finished with 13. Armagost spent much of the second quarter on the bench after picking up his third foul.

Moniteau won't have long to stew over this loss.

The two teams will see each other again at Union Feb. 6.

Still, Davis is glad to get this one out of the way.

“Any time you can come here and get a win, you're happy,” Davis said.

UNION 62Taylor Smith 8-12 0-0 18, Dylan Shirey 0-1 0-0 0, Brody Pollock 7-17 3-4 18, Wanya Harris 1-1 0-0 2, Jake Stewart 0-0 0-0 0, Kaden McGregor 5-7 2-2 12, Austin Davis 1-2 0-2 2, Brandon Tyson 0-0 0-0 0, Mikey Harris 4-6 2-3 10.

Totals: 26-46 7-11 62.

MONITEAU 41Kyle Armagost 6-20 0-0 13, Ethan Pry 3-9 1-3 8, Andrew Armagost 4-8 0-4 9, Joey Deal 0-0 0-1 0, Jonathan Loos 3-9 0-0 6, Brayden McCorry 1-4 0-0 2, Denny Pry 0-0 0-0 0, Drew Yeckel 0-0 0-0 0, Cody Skiver 0-0 0-0 0, Joe Holfelder 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals: 18-52 1-8 41.

Union 26 13 10 13—62Moniteau 6 12 14 9—413-point goals: Union 3 (Smith 2, Pollock); Moniteau 3 (K. Armagost, Pry, A. Armagost).

Wednesday: Union at Karns City; Clarion-Limestone at Moniteau