YOUNGSVILLE — Unlike its previous two outings this week, Youngsville didn’t get off to the best start on Friday.

In the end, it didn’t matter much.

The Eagles (12-4, 3-3 Region 3) overcame a slow start and held off a late Union City rally during a 53-47 Region 3 victory over the Bears at Youngsville High School.

“Tonight was a tough and physical game,” said Youngsville coach Jesse Benton. “A year ago, a game like this would have been difficult to maintain our composure in. However, the boys played smart and made enough plays to come out on top.”

Youngsville’s typically high-octane offense was held largely in check early with the Eagles scoring only three points in the game’s first six minutes and trailing by six after a period.

In the second quarter, Youngsville began to find its groove from the field — especially junior guard Braydon Baker. Baker hit three triples and scored 13 points in the second quarter alone as the Eagles turned a six-point deficit into a six-point lead at halftime.

The offense cooled down in the third quarter, but luckily for the Eagles their defense showed up at the perfect time.

Youngsville held the Bears to just seven points in the third quarter and got one field goal each from all five starters — Cash Moore, David Manning, Rylan Benton, Ethan Beers and Baker — as the hosts watched their lead grow to double figures for the first time.

Union City (7-10, 1-5 Region 3) didn’t go down without a fight.

After starting the game with a 10-3 run, the Bears delivered another 10-3 run in the opening six minutes of the final quarter as Youngsville’s lead was cut to 46-42 with 1:52 to play.

Benton responded with a drive to the hoop and Beers and Baker added free throws over the next 58 seconds as Youngsville pushed the lead back to nine and held on for the win.

Baker paced the Eagles with 19 points with Benton right behind with 18 points. Manning also reached double figures with 10 points.

The Eagles dropped the junior varsity game 48-23. Uriah Gallegos led Youngsville with 10 points and Josh Pikna finished with seven.

Youngsville held a pair of ceremonies during Friday’s game, beginning with Senior Night for senior cheerleaders Kamden Swearingen and Taylor Tuttle prior to the varsity game.

At halftime, Youngsville honored the 1992 District 10 championship winning team that advanced to the PIAA semifinals with a 29-2 record.

Things don’t get easier for the Eagles from here as they travel to region-leading Mercyhurst Prep on Tuesday.

VARSITY

UNION CITY (47)

Trauner 1 0-0 3, Capela 4 3-4 13, McNulty 1 1-2 3, Parkhurst 8 0-0 17, Troyer 1 1-2 3, Greer 1 0-0 2, Kibbe 3 0-0 6. Totals 19 5-8 47.

YOUNGSVILLE (53)

Rylan Benton 6 6-8 18, David Manning 3 2-4 10, Braydon Baker 7 2-2 19, Ethan Beers 1 2-4 4, Cash Moore 1 0-0 2, Rodney Rowland 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 12-18 53.

Union City 13 12 7 15 — 47

Youngsville 7 24 12 10 — 53

3-point goals–Trauner, Capela 2, Parkhurst, Manning 2, Baker 3

JAYVEE

UNION CITY (48)

Greer 3 2-4 8, Dean 4 1-2 9, Zahner 3 0-1 6, Kinney 4 0-0 9, Betcher 5 0-0 12, Turner 2 0-0 4. Totals 21 3-7 48.

YOUNGSVILLE (23)

Hudson Haight 1 0-0 3, Josh Pikna 3 1-2 7, Ollie Boozer 1 0-0 3, Rodney Rowland 0 0-2 0, Uriah Gallegos 4 2-6 10, Steven Rex 0 0-2 0, Collin Montgomery 0 0-0 0, Brendon Gallegos 0 0-0 0, Chris Edwards 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 3-12 23.

3-point goals–Betcher 2, Kinney, Haight, Boozer

Union City 2 13 20 13 — 48

Youngsville 6 7 4 6 — 23