An explosion from beyond-the-arc propelled the Union Co. Panthers basketball team to a big 73-43 win against Gilmer on Saturday in Blairsville.

Sophomore Lake Hughes his seven second-half 3-pointers, including five in the fourth quarter, to put the game out of reach for the Panthers (4-6, 1-2 Region 8-2A).

Despite six players scoring in the first half for Union Co., the Bobcats (5-5, 2-3 Region 6-4A) managed to stay within six points at the half 25-19.

Sophomore Cade Carter scored 11 of the team’s first half points to keep Gilmer within striking distance heading into the second half. Carter finished with a team-high 18 points in the loss.

The Panthers got hot from outside in the third, as Hughes and senior Pierson Allison both hit two 3-pointers in the period. Junior Kaston Hemphill scored five and senior Sawyer Brety chipped in four during the period as Union Co. began to pull away at 46-32 heading into the fourth.

The final frame was all Hughes, who buried all five shots he took from outside. The Panthers outscored the Bobcats 27-11 in the fourth to earn the victory.

Junior guard Brady Sanford scored six points in the third for Gilmer, while fellow junior Braden Jenkins scored all five of his points in the fourth.

Sanford finished with eight points for the Bobcats.

Hughes finished with a game-high 23 points for the Panthers, while Allison finished with 16.

Allison was also recognized during the first quarter after scoring his fourth point of the game. The made shot took Allison passed 1,000 points for his career at Union Co.

Hemphill and Brey both finished with 10 points for the Panthers, who next play Walhalla at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26, in the Towns Co. Battle of the State Tournament in Hiawassee.

Luke Wimpey and Lewis Mulkey ended the game with six points each for Gilmer, which next plays a regular-season game Saturday, Jan. 4, against Fannin Co. at 5:30 p.m. in Ellijay.