Union Pines’ hopes for capturing the 3-A Cape Fear Valley Conference crown in girls’ basketball took a major blow Tuesday in Cameron.

With a 49-37 loss to Southern Lee on their home court, the Lady Vikings (14-6) fell to 8-2 in the league standings with just two conference games remaining on the schedule.

Meanwhile, the victorious Cavaliers improved to 9-0 in the CFVC standings — two games clear of Union Pines in the loss column.

After two quarters of play, the visiting Cavs carried an 18-12 advantage in the first-place conference clash.

As action resumed in the third period, Southern Lee (17-2) pushed its advantage to 29-14 with 2:30 left in the third quarter.

The senior tandem of Jasmine Butler and Brianna Jenkins played a critical role in the Cav run. Butler, a starter at the point, finished the frame with eight points and two steals, while Jenkins had four points, three rebounds and two steals at the wing.

Five straight points by Vike senior captain Crystal Hicks, including a deep three from way downtown, along with a defensive board and assist from junior captain Tyler Ross to sophomore Lexie Coxe, helped cut the Cavalier lead to 32-21 by the end of the quarter.

The tide in momentum continued to tilt in Union Pines’ favor early in the fourth frame.

An eight-point Viking run that featured two baskets and a free throw by Ross and a trey from junior guard Dasia McCrimmon cut the deficit to 36-29 at the 4:15 mark.

Jenkins and Butler then stepped up for Southern Lee to put the game away. Jenkins struck twice on the offensive boards, and Butler kept the surge going with back-to-back buckets in transition to push the Cavalier lead to 44-29 with 2:42 remaining.

Butler led her team with a game-high 22 points, along with six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jenkins finished with 13 points, 12 boards and five steals on the night.

Ross collected a 13-point, 17-rebound double-double, to go with six steals and three assists for the Lady Vikings.

C Hicks finished with six points, 12 rebounds, six steals and three assists, while her younger sister, sophomore center Tiffany Hicks, had eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Union Pines closes the week with a CFVC road game tonight against Western Harnett (2-17, 2-7) in Lillington at 6 p.m.

Southern Lee 6 12 14 17 — 49

Union Pines 3 9 9 16 — 37

Southern Lee: Butler 7 8-9 22, Jenkins 5 3-4 13, Taylor 2 3-4 7, Fox 2 0-0 4, Bunnell 1 0-0 2, Sumpter 0 1-2 1. Totals 17 15-19 49.

Union Pines: Ross 5 3-3 13, T, Hicks 4 0-1 8, C. Hicks 1 3-6 6, Coxe 2 0-2 5, McCrimmon 1 0-0 3, Daley 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 6-12 37.

Three-point goals: SL 0; UP (Coxe, C. Hicks, McCrimmon).