UNION – The Union County boys basketball team continued to struggle offensively on Thursday and fell to Farragut, Tenn., 59-29 during the Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament in Kentucky.

“We’ve got to figure something out that’s going to benefit us,” said Head Coach Will Hickson. “We’ve got to put the ball in the hole. We looked pretty good on defense but we’re not executing on offense.”

The Jackets were forced to play catch up after falling behind 21-0 in the first quarter. The first eight points of the second half belonged to Union County but Farragut evened the third quarter scoring at 18-18 and used solid defense to hold off the Jackets in the fourth.

“We have to work on starting the game off better,” said Hickson. “We played well in the second half, especially defensively. We’ve got to come together as a team and bond as a family. That’s what these trips are for.”

Union County was led in scoring by Kalay Jones, Jared Booker and Recus Hughes who had six points each.

In girls action, the Lady Jackets knocked off Carson Newman 50-19 on Thursday in the first round of the 2012 Home Pest Control Holiday Basketball Classic.

Kristin Giles had a double-double with 24 points and 11 assists.

The Lady Jackets led 17-16 at halftime and held Cardinal Newman to just three points in the second half.