Magnolia welcomed Union Local to town on Tuesday night, January 21, in boys basketball action and dropped their fifth game of the season to the visiting Jets 70-57. The Blue Eagles fell behind early in the first quarter and were forced to play catch up the rest of the way and could never get the lead.

The Jets jumped in front 18-9 in the first and upped it to 38-19 at the half. Mehl Brendon had 13, including three 3’s of his game high 22 points, in the first two quarters, to propel the visitors to the lead. The second half saw Magnolia outscore the Jets 38-32 but it was too little too late.

Union Local improved to 10-5 on the season while the Big Blue fell to 5-5 with the loss.

Magnolia made a valiant comeback in the fourth quarter with pressure defense and cut a 22-point Jets lead to 7 points, 61-54 but the Jets regrouped and got the 13-point win. The Jets pressure defense forced the Blue Eagles into several turnovers leading to easy baskets. The visitors had three players reach double figures led by Brendon. Backing him was Dre Saunders with 19 and Bill Shumacher with 13.

Magnolia was led by Kingston Christen with 21 points, including a pair of 3’s and 3-3 from the free throw line. Dubale Greathouse added 9 points for the Blue Eagles, followed by Hunter Oates and Noah Hood with six each. Eli Midcap added five points, while Brayden Byers and Darin Shimp each hit two baskets for four points and Bo Tallman added a bucket.

Union Local hit 29 shots from the floor including six 3-pointers and made 6-12 from the free throw line. Magnolia had 21 field goals including four 3’s and made 11-17 from the charity stripe.