The Union Knights boys basketball team pictured with their Class 2A state qualifier banner after beating Pella Christian in last Saturday’s Substate 6 final played at the Marshalltown Roundhouse. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNION BOOSTER CLUB

MARSHALLTOWN — The door to Des Moines swung open for the Union Knights boys basketball team just before the final buzzer Saturday night in the Class 2A Substate 6 championship at the Marshalltown Roundhouse. In those final seconds, the Knights came from behind to assail the Pella Christian Eagles, 61-60, and punch their ticket to the 2026 IHSAA State Basketball Tournament.

After taking an 11-10 lead late in the first quarter and tying the game 20-20 early in the second on a 4-0 spurt, Union trailed for much of the night and did not lead at all in the second half until the final moments.

Pella Christian was ahead 35-26 at halftime and pushed the margin as high as 10 in the third quarter. The Knights responded and cut the deficit to five with under a minute to play, but the Eagles carried a 50-43 advantage into the fourth.

A 3-pointer by senior Tate Van Dyke kept Union within seven early in the final quarter. Senior Maddux DeWinter converted off a steal to again trim the gap to five. Pella Christian answered and built a 60-54 lead before the Knights made their final push.

Following a timeout by the Eagles with under two minutes remaining, Union tightened defensively and forced key stops while Pella Christian missed in the bonus. A pair of free throws cut the lead to 60-56.

Knights senior guard Cameron Mullen (2) drives to the basket against Pella Christian on Saturday, Feb. 28, during the Class 2A Substate 6 championship game at the Marshalltown Roundhouse. With just over a minute left in the game, Mullen flushed a 3-pointer to put Union one possession off the lead. PHOTO BY JIM NELSON/WATERLOO-CEDAR FALLS COURIER

With 1:15 remaining on the clock, senior Cameron Mullen flushed a 3-pointer from the left wing, pulling Union within 60-59. After another stop, the Knights held for the final shot: Van Dyke delivered, knocking down a basket with 15 seconds remaining to give Union its first lead of the second half at 61-60. In turn, the Roundhouse went absolutely wild.

Pella Christian’s final possession came up empty, leading to a stunning defeat for the Eagles — a team on the cusp of what would have been their 18th trip to the state tournament had they won.

Union was led by Maddux DeWinter with 15 points, seven assists, two rebounds, and a steal. Van Dyke added 14 points, a team-high eight rebounds – including the game-winner – plus a block. Cameron Mullen finished with a dozen points and three boards. Senior Sawyer Spence chipped in 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, one steal, and a block. Senior Ethan Winnike added a 3-pointer plus three boards. Off the bench, sophomore Bryson DeWinter scored six points and pulled down three rebounds. Senior starter Caden Sorensen remained out due to a foot injury.

As a team, the Knights shot 51.1% from the field (23-of-45), 41.2% from 3-point range (7-of-17), and 66.7% at the free-throw line (8-of-12), finishing with 19 rebounds and nine assists.

With the win – which followed the Knights’ Tuesday, Feb. 24, substate semifinal victory over Columbus Catholic, 58-52 – No. 8 Union (22-3) advances to the state tournament set for March 9-13 at Casey’s Center in Des Moines. The Knights will face No. 1 Kuemper Catholic in a Class 2A quarterfinal on Wednesday, March 11.

Union senior Tate Van Dyke (5) heads to the rim on a breakaway during the Tuesday, Feb. 24, substate semifinal victory over Columbus Catholic at Union High School in La Porte City. Against Pella Christian four days later in Marshalltown, Van Dyke sank the winning basket in the final 15 seconds, securing Union’s third trip to the state tournament next week. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Pella Christian finishes the season 14-11.

Last year, Union upset Kuemper Catholic, 77-66, in the substate final to secure their second state appearance since first qualifying in 2008.

The Kuemper Catholic Knights will be making their 18th state tournament appearance since 1969 – they won the championship in 1985.