UNION CITY, Ind. – The Northeastern boys basketball team wanted to be perfect despite already clinching the Tri-Eastern Conference title.
The No. 4 Knights finished the regular season on Wednesday with a 75-46 over Union City to end at 19-5 overall and 7-0 in the conference.
“That’s really hard to do,” Northeastern coach Brent Ross said of the Knights going 7-0 over the last four seasons and winning championships.
Overall, Northeastern has won 29 conference games in a row and 44 straight against TEC foes.
The Knights led 24-13 after one quarter and then they were on top 49-27 by halftime.
“We really emphasized being focused to start the game,” Ross said. “We did a great job of that.”
Tyler Smith led the Knights with 42 points and 11 rebounds.
“The seniors have had an incredible career,” Ross said. “Tyler was really efficient tonight, having 26 points at halftime.”
Freeman Brou tossed in 11 for Northeastern with nine rebounds.
“Northeastern is a great team,” Union City coach Bruce Davison said. “They move the ball well and they are hard for us to match-up at the different positions.”
It was the final home game for Union City seniors Aaron Foster, Tyler Thornhill and Isaac Jefferis.
“This is a special night for us,” Davison said. “With senior night, it’s the days and experiences that you have in junior high and high school. The memories will last forever.”
Thornhill led the Indians with 18 points and Jefferis finished with 10.
Northeastern won the JV contest 39-33 with Quantrell Gammon leading the way with 11 points. Cole Mikesell and Blake Hancock finished with 10 each.
For Union City, Cameron Luster had 10 points with Jacob Fulk and Bryten Stewart adding eight points apiece.
Both teams return to action in the sectional semifinals next Friday as they both received byes.
Northeastern meets the winner of Winchester and Hagerstown in the Class 2A sectional hosted by the Tigers.
Union City (3-17, 1-6) plays the winner of Union and Randolph Southern in the Class 1A tourney at Blue River.
Box score
NORTHEASTERN (19-5, 7-0) – Tyler Smith 20 1-2 42, Kaleb Mikesell 1 0-0 2, Nate Reynolds 3 0-0 7, Harrison Rice 2 0-0 4, Jordan Stolle 1 0-0 3, Jalen Hillard 2 0-0 4, Freeman Brou 5 0-0 11, Alex Reynolds 0 2-2 2, Blake Hancock 0 0-0 0, Quantrell Gammon 0 0-0 0, Cole Mikesell 0 0-0 0, Caylor Fisher 0 0-0 0. Team – 34 3-4 75.
UNION CITY (3-17, 1-6) – Aaron Foster 2 0-0 5, Trevor Thompson 2 1-2 5, Tyler Thornhill 6 5-6 18, Isaac Jefferis 4 0-0 10, Trevor Spence 1 0-0 2, Zach Bradbury 1 0-0 3, Wes Mote 0 0-0 0, Jacob Moore 0 0-0 0, Mason Good 0 3-3 3. Team – 16 9-11 46.
Northeastern 24 49 65 75
Union City 13 27 33 46
3-pointers – Northeastern 4 (Smith, N. Reynolds, Stolle, Brou), Union City 5 (Jefferis 2, Foster, Thornhill, Bradbury). Rebounds – Northeastern 43 (Smith 11, Brou 9), Union City 31 (Thompson 6, Spence 6). Turnovers – Northeastern 11, Union City 21. Fouls – Northeastern 11, Union City 4. Fouled out – None. JV score – Northeastern 39, Union City 33.