For three quarters Tuesday, Morristown and Union County could not create separation.

Following a 15-point third quarter from Nolan Laster, the Yellow Jackets sat tied 41-all with the visiting Patriots.

Laster was held to a pair of free throws over the final eight minutes and Union County outscored Morristown, 10-6, to secure a 51-47 victory at the Bee Hive.

Laster finished with a game-high 28 points and Nick Stidham had 13 in the loss for the Yellow Jackets (1-8).

Ragen Bias and Austin Wollyung each hit a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter to keep the Patriots (4-4) even with Morristown.

Bias matched Mason Stewart with a team-high 14 points and Wollyung finished with 13.

Stidham had eight points in the first quarter, including a pair of 3s, but Union County held a 15-14 advantage at the break.

Laster and Stidham each had five in the second quarter to help Morristown take a 26-24 lead at halftime.

Laster erupted in the third quarter but he was the only Yellow Jacket to score.

Union County hit 4 of 8 free throws in the final eight minutes and finished 11 of 19 for the game while Morristown was 6 of 7.

Morristown travels to Waldron Friday for the semifinal round of the Shelby County Tournament. The Yellow Jackets will face Triton Central following Waldron’s semifinal against Southwestern.