FINGERTIP CONTROL — North Union forward Olivia Von Bank finger-rolls the basketball for two points while slicing between Forest City defenders Kaylee Miller (10), Karly Lambert (22) and Shae Dillavou (far right) during Top of Iowa Conference action Tuesday night in Armstrong. North Union’s Vanessa Von Bank (13) watches the action. (Photo by Greg Abel)

ARMSTRONG — Sam Nielsen’s low-post presence combined with North Union’s second-half defense kept the Warriors within striking distance of previously-unbeaten Forest City before the Von Bank siblings delivered the knockout punch for the home team in overtime.

The hard-working Nielsen, who collected a game-best double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, drove the baseline and tossed in a 8-foot leaner to knot regulation at 37-all with 47 seconds remaining Tuesday night in Armstrong.

Vanessa Von Bank then drilled back-to-back long-distance 3-pointers and two free throws for eight of her 13 points during the extra 4-minute session and Olivia Von Bank nailed a 3-pointer in OT to propel North Union to a 54-46 Top of Iowa Conference comeback triumph over the Indians.

“Sam (Nielsen) really battled inside to keep us close in the first half, while our defensive pressure chipped away at their lead during the second half and allowed us to force overtime,” said North Union head coach Merle Tigges, whose lineup improved to 3-1 overall. “It really was a tale of two halves. For playing games on back-to-back nights, I thought we had good energy, especially during the second half and overtime.”

With Nielsen producing nine points and eight rebounds during the first two quarters to help keep North Union down by just 10 — 26-16 — at intermission, Tigges employed a full-court press to generate instant offensive chances to open the third quarter.

Vanessa Von Bank tossed in a right-wing 3 before she and Lily Henderson spotted Nielsen for back-to-back low-post baskets, respectively, to trigger a quick 7-0 run midway through the third.

Kaylee Miller, who netted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, answered for Forest City at the 2:52 juncture with a putback basket before Shae Dillavou finger-rolled in a cross-lane runner to re-establish a seven-point lead for the Indians. Dillavou finished with a team-best double-double performance of 16 points and 11 rebounds to complement three steals and three assists.

Henderson countered with a drive through traffic in the lane before Olivia Von Bank swooshed a left-elbow 15-footer off one of Henderson’s four steals to narrow the Warriors’ gap to 30-27 by the end of the third quarter.

Henderson’s left-wing runner offset Dillavou’s free throws to start the fourth frame before Henderson’s slashing floater in the paint, combined with Nielsen’s putback basket, gave North Union its first lead of the game at 33-32 with 3:15 left in regulation.

Vanessa Von Bank hit a cutter off a Nielsen assist before Emma Anderson tied the game at 35-all on the strength of a left-corner 3-pointer for Forest City. Dillavou’s hard drive in traffic gave the Indians the lead before Nielsen’s leaner evened the scoreboard and created the extra session.

Ellie Caylor nailed a left-wing bank shot off of Dillavou winning the OT tip only to see Vanessa Von Bank answer with a deep top-of-the-key 3. Dillavou’s scoop shot staked the Indians to their final lead at 41-40 before Vanessa Von Bank drilled a trey from the 10-foot volleyball line and Henderson spotted Olivia Von Bank for a left-corner 3 and a 46-41 lead.

Henderson, Vanessa Von Bank, Nielsen, Emily Meyer and Cassie Beadle combined for eight free throws during the final 43 seconds to seal the eight-point comeback win.

Olivia Von Bank finished with 12 points and four steals for the Warriors, while Henderson contributed seven points, four steals and four assists.

Caylor supplied nine points, 10 boards, three steals and three assists for Forest City.

North Union (3-1) travels to Britt, Iowa, on Friday night to face West Hancock in another conference game, while Forest City (4-1) plays host to North Iowa.

FC 10 16 4 7 9–46

NU 7 9 11 10 17–54

NORTH UNION (54)

O. Von Bank 5-10 0-0 12, V. Von Bank 4-9 2-3 13, Nielsen 6-11 6-8 18, Beadle 0-4 2-2 2, Henderson 3-12 1-2 7, Meyer 0-4 2-2 2, Charlton 0-2 0-0 0, Jones 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-53 13-17 54.

FOREST CITY (46)

Miller 3-11 5-6 12, Dillavou 7-13 2-4 16, H. Anderson 3-6 0-0 6, Caylor 4-11 0-1 9, E. Anderson 1-6 0-0 3, Lambert 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 18-49 7-11 46.

3-pointers: North Union 5-20 (V. Von Bank 3-8, O. Von Bank 2-4, Henderson 0-4, Beadle 0-3, Meyer 0-1); Forest City 3-12 (Miller 1-1, E. Anderson 1-2, Caylor 1-6, Dillavou 0-1, H. Anderson 0-1, Lambert 0-1). Fouled out: Caylor. Rebounds: Forest City 39 (Dillavou 11, Miller and Caylor 10 each); North Union 29 (Nielsen 14). Assists: Forest City 10 (Caylor and Dillavou 3 each); North Union 7 (Henderson 4). Steals: North Union 14 (O. Von Bank and Henderson 4 each); Forest City 7 (Caylor and Dillavou 3 each).

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Boys Basketball

Forest City 76, North Union 38 — Noah Miller connected on six 3-pointers to pace his game-best 31-point performance to help the Indians double up the Warriors during Top of Iowa Conference action Tuesday night in Armstrong.

Andrew Snyder delivered 17 points for Forest City, Carter Bruckhoff supplied 11 points, while Brandon Leber chipped in 10 points.

Aidan Fries produced a team-leading 18 points to complement garnering five rebounds to top North Union’s effort.

Gage Madden collected six points and pocketed five steals for the Warriors, Nick Schiltz netted six points, while Logan Odegaard tallied five points and pulled down four boards.

North Union (0-3) travels to Britt, Iowa, on Friday night to face West Hancock, while Forest City (2-2) plays host to North Iowa.