The Union Pines boys’ basketball team defeated East Wake 59-53 in Sanford Wednesday in second round action of Lee County High School's Chatlee Shootout.

Junior Parris Manning helped the Vikings keep pace with the Warriors in the first half of the consolation bracket contest. Manning connected three times from downtown on his way to scoring 15 points in the first quarter as Union Pines trailed 24-23 through one frame.

By intermission, the game was knotted up in a 34-34 tie while Manning led all-scorers with 20 points.

The pace of the game slowed down dramatically with the start of the third frame. In a quarter where buckets proved to be at a premium, Union Pines got two points from five different players and trailed 45-44 as the game moved to the fourth period.

Ultimately, the Vikings’ pressure man-to-man defense was the deciding factor. Union Pines held the Warriors scoreless for the first five minutes of the final quarter to secure a 50-45 lead. Vike sophomore Kendrick McRae came up with a strong performance in the final eight minutes of action.

McRae made three field-goals early in the quarter. He then drained both ends of a critical one-and one that all but sealed the victory by giving Union Pines a 56-52 lead with 28 seconds left in the game.

The Viking’ leading scorer was Parris Manning. The junior captain finished with 22 points, including four three-pointers, five rebounds, three steals and three assists. Junior point guard Lashun Brower also finished in double figures with 11 points on top of eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. McRae had eight points, nine boards, four assists and three steals, while fellow Vike sophomore Braxton Ross finished with six points, six rebounds, four blocks and five assists.

Justin Vaughn led East Wake with 11 points while Robert Townes finished with nine points.

The Vikings snapped a three-game skid and are now 4-8 on the year. Union Pines plays again tonight at 8 p.m. in the fifth-place game against the Hoke County Bucks (4-6), who topped Leesville Road 77-56 in Wednesday’s other consolation bracket contest.