Boys basketball: Columbia River 69, Union 67

Chad Pedigo scored a career-high 27 points and hit big shots in the fourth quarter as the host Chieftains edged the Titans.

Pedigo scored 16 of his 27 points after halftime, and put River ahead to stay with a free-throw line jump shot with about three minutes remaining.

Nathan Hawthorne sealed the win with a pair of late free throws that came after he missed a pair of foul shots then made a steal and was fouled. River then fouled to prevent Union attempting a tying 3-pointer.

Riley Hawken scored 25 points for Union.

A big third quarter had the Chieftains up by as many as eight early in the fourth period. But the Titans rallied and held a four-point lead.

During one stretch of the fourth quarter, Pedigo and Union’s Micah Paulson hit two 3-pointers apiece over four consecutive possessions.

Columbia River coach David Long said that good shot selection and limiting second-chance opportunities for Union keyed the Chieftains 21-12 third-quarter advantage.

Long called it a “marquee win” for his team over a strong Union squad.

COLUMBIA RIVER 69, UNION 67

UNION — Keithen Shepard 0, Cole Weatherspoon 3, Micah Paulson 14, Carson Brucher 0, Nico Bricker 5, Thomas Lampkin Jr. 2, Cameron Cranston 10, Riley Hawken 25, Denis Kirichenko 8, Stephan Ammentorp 0. Totals 23 (7) 14-21 67.

COLUMBIA RIVER (2-1) — Nathan Hawthorne 12, Joey Bean 8, Andrew Vickers 7, Vincent Daniels 0, Jacob Hjort 3, Tyler Hellman 0, Spencer Long 12, Chad Pedigo 27, Christian Stromme 0, Spencer Black 0. Totals 22 (11) 14-22.

Union 14 22 12 19—67

Columbia River 14 18 21 16—69

JV — Union won. C — Union won.