RIMERSBURG — It was a first half that head coach Karen Davis wished her team could play all over again.

That tells you what kind of night it was for the Union boys basketball team.

Despite a spirited second-half comeback attempt, the Golden Knights were doomed by a 31-14 halftime deficit, as Moniteau claimed a road victory with a 69-60 decision Tuesday evening at Union High School.

Kyle Hilliard scored 15 of his game-high 24 points in the final period to lead Union back into the game.

The Knights cut Moniteau's lead to 67-60 with 43 seconds to play, but that's as close as the home team got.

"The drive isn't there yet on this team," said Davis. "That second half, that was the most intensity I've seen in any game so far. But we just have been unable to put four quarters together."

Moniteau shot 46 percent from the field (13-of-28) in the first half, but was hampered by Union's press defense in the third quarter as the Knights (4-3, 2-1) fought to get back into the game.

"In the first half, we were patient on the offensive end," said Warriors coach Randy Armagost. "Then (Union) pressed us in the third quarter and we began to rush things.

"In the fourth quarter, we finally began to break the press and got some better looks."

Moniteau's Tyler Grossman and Zack Thompson scored eight and nine points in the final period, respectively.

Grossman (23 points), Thompson (21) and Matt Schandelmeier (11 points, 11 rebounds) all ended in double figures for Moniteau.

"This was the first game in which we had a bunch of guys step up," said Armagost. "That's the kind of effort we need."

The first half proved to be 16 minutes of frustration for Davis and her team.

The Knights shot just 19 percent (5-of-27) from the field in the first two periods and were outrebounded 25-9 in that span. Moniteau's advantage on the scoreboard reached double digits early in the second quarter.

In contrast, Union shot 47 percent (15-of-32) in the second half and forced 10 Moniteau turnovers.

"We finally started to put the ball in the hole in the second half," said Davis. "And we began to deny them on defense."

It was the second game for Grossman following a left knee bruise sustained in last Wednesday's game against Karns City.

Grossman wore a brace on the knee in Tuesday's win and, despite his 23 points, the injury is still an issue for the Warriors (5-2, 1-1).

"It's still a concern right now," said Armagost. "But just having him on the floor is a big boost to the team."

Notes:

Also scoring in double figures for Union were Gary Cooper (12), Billy Burns (11) and Toby Painter (11). … Moniteau ended the game with a 42-20 advantage in rebounds.

MONITEAU 69

Tyler Grossman 7 8-13 23, Zack Thompson 9 2-3 21, Garth Kohlmeyer 2 0-0 5, Matt Buczkowski 1 0-0 2, Barry Jones 2 0-0 4, Matt Schandelmeier 5 1-2 11, Tyler Armagost 0 3-4 3, Clay Campbell 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26 14-22 69.

UNION 60

Kyle Hilliard 8 6-9 24, Billy Burns 3 3-5 11, Toby Painter 5 0-0 11, Nate Boltz 0 2-2 2, Gary Cooper 4 4-5 12, Mike Brothers 0 0-3 0, Neil Scott 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 15-24 60.

3-point goals:

Grossman, Kohlmeyer, Thompson; Burns 2, Hilliard 2, Painter.

JV:

Moniteau 41-35 (Moniteau-Nick Morrow 14 points; Union-Spencer Varner 11)

Thursday:

Keystone @ Union; Clarion @ Moniteau