Basketball Game Preview: Union Academy Cardinals vs. Piedmont Panthers + How To Watch

The Union Academy Cardinals are taking a road trip to take on the Piedmont Panthers at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Last Friday, Union Academy was able to grind out a solid victory over South Rowan, taking the game 56-48.

Owen Haggarty

Steals

11/21/25 @ South Rowan	2
11/19/25 @ Uwharrie Charter Academy	2
11/18/25 vs The Math and Science Academy of Charlotte - Concord Campus	2

Union Academy got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Owen Haggarty out in front who posted 16 points. Haggarty is also crushing it when it comes to steals: he's grabbed at least two every time he's taken the court this season. Elijah Shine was another key player, shooting 71% from the field to rack up 12 points and three steals.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Piedmont). They took down Parkwood 78-59 on Tuesday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Panthers.

Union Academy better focus on containing Bennett Church and Bryan Little as the pair were huge in Piedmont's win. Church shot 4-for-5 from beyond the arc and dropped a double-double with 20 points and ten assists, while Little dropped a double-double with 19 points and ten boards. Those ten assists gave Church a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Will Staton, who made all 5 shots he took for 11 points and six rebounds.

Piedmont was working as a unit and finished the game with 19 assists. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their assist total in three consecutive contests.

Union Academy now has a winning record of 2-1. As for Piedmont, the victory got them back to even at 2-2.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Union Academy has been crashing the boards this season, having averaged 21.3 boards per game. However, it's not like Piedmont struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 36 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Union Academy couldn't quite get it done against Piedmont in their previous matchup back in December of 2024 as they fell 53-45. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Little, who went 10-for-16 en route to 26 points and eight boards. Now that the Cardinals know the damage he can cause, will they be able to stop him this time? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.