NEWTON — Deshaun Watts sank six free throws in the final eight seconds to turn a one-point Newton lead into a 37-30 victory Friday as the Tigers defeated Union in a key Region 4-2A matchup.

Union’s Jaylen Barton hit a layup with 1:04 remaining in the game before Yellowjackets coach John Alan Darnell called a timeout to position his team for the apparent final possession with 18 seconds left.

Three seconds later, officials pegged Union (17-3, 2-1) for a traveling violation, and the Yellowjackets were then hit with a technical foul, setting up Watts for his late-game baskets.

“I think we had a mental breakdown,” Darnell said. “They called it, and we have to play with it.”

The combination of Watts and Yorel Phillips carried Newton (15-6, 2-1) offensively, as the duo combined for 28 of its team’s 37 points.

Watts finished with a game-high 15 points, including going 9 of 12 from the free-throw line. Phillips tallied 13 points. 

Phillips, who provided the Tigers with their first five points of the final quarter, jumped up for a fourth-quarter rebound and lost his footing on his way down. Phillips fell backward, and his head crashed into the floor. He briefly exited the game but returned 13 seconds later. On his first possession back, he tallied an assist on a pass to Tyler Bedford that gave the Tigers a 30-24 lead with 3:23 left to play.

The win puts Newton at 2-1 in Region 4-2A play, and the Tigers trail only pack leader Philadelphia in the standings. Philadelphia beat Newton 47-35 on Jan. 11.

“Any time you win a game in the district, it’s huge,” Newton coach Darrin Gray said. “Union came out to fight tonight. It was a hard-fought battle. Union did a good job. Hats off to them. The game could have gone either way.”

Union’s J.T. Vance posted a team-high 11 points, and Jamarcus Jones ended with eight points. 

After leading 7-5 to enter the second quarter, Union fell behind 20-13 at halftime. The Yellowjackets outscored the Tigers 5-2 in the third quarter before beginning the fourth quarter down by four points.

Kenyon Clay made three of four free throws in the first two minutes of the fourth period to cut Union’s deficit to one point, but Phillips scored while drawing a foul and made the and-one attempt to push the Tigers ahead 25-21 with 5:08 left.

Phillips added a field goal 20 seconds later, and Watts tallied a point on a field goal to give Newton a seven-point lead. 

Vance gave Union a three-point play with 3:46 remaining, but Bedford’s basket off Phillips’ assist pushed Newton ahead 30-24.

Vance added a jumper, and Sage Gunn went 1 of 2 from the charity stripe with 2:24 left to cut the Tigers’ advantage to 30-27, but Watts made a free throw 40 seconds later to up Newton’s lead to four points.

A Jade Russell free throw, and Jones’ layup with under a minute left to play cut Newton’s lead to one point, but Watts’ six free throws preserved the win.

“Any time you come to Newton, it’s a tough environment,” Darnell said. “I’m proud of my boys. We were down one (point) with the ball with 15 seconds and couldn’t get it done tonight. I give Coach Gray all the credit — he always does a good job. I’m proud of my boys. They played hard, just couldn’t get it done tonight.”

Up next: Newton will play Kemper County in Saturday’s Bay Springs Tournament. Union travels to Scott Central on Tuesday.

Lady Tigers 50, Lady Yellowjackets 22 

Nia McCalphia, McKinley Ware and Myja McNichols scored 10 points apiece to lead Newton to its fourth-consecutive win Friday. Ja’Leah Hickmon ended with nine points, and Zia Shields chipped in with four points. 

The win improved Newton to 16-2 overall and 3-0 in Region 4-2A, while Union dropped to 14-8 and 2-1.

Union’s Ansley Rigby tallied team-high 10 points, and Keirra Russell finished with five points. Kaliyah Temple chipped in with three points, Taniqua Hunter added two points and Eryanna Mason and Trinity Lambert had one point apiece.

Up next: Newton will play in Saturday’s Ackerman Challenge. Union visits Scott Central on Tuesday.