Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team let a late lead slip away in a 70-67 loss to Henderson State (Ark.) University. Union dropped to 2-7 on the season, while Henderson State improved to 7-2.
 
With the game tied at 67-67, Henderson State's Melvin Haynes drilled a 3-pointer with four seconds left to give his team the victory.
 
In the third game of the season for Union, the Bulldogs led Henderson State 79-78 until the Reddies converted a 3-point play with six seconds left to defeat Union in Arkansas 81-79.
 
Union led 65-60 following a Dani Marti free throw with 2:52 left in the game. However, Haynes' game-winning 3-pointer capped a 10-2 run by the Reddies over the final two minutes.
 
Henderson State tied the game at 65-65 following a 3-point play from Denzel Lyes. Union answered with a pair of free throws from Anthony Freeman to regain the lead 67-65 with 1:04 left. Henderson State then got a pair of free throws from Andrew Ensley with 48 seconds left to tie the game at 67-67.
 
Following a time out, Union had the play drawn up but a turnover gave Henderson State the ball and a chance to take the lead. After a timeout by the Reddies with 13 seconds left, Haynes shot put his team up 70-67. Union had a final shot for the tie but it fell short.
 
The game featured 12 ties and 14 lead changes with Union leading for the majority of the second half. In the first half, the both teams went back and forth with eight ties and five lead changes. Union struggled shooting from the field, including just 26 percent from behind the arc and only 53 percent from the free throw line.
 
Union's five point lead late in the game was their largest lead of the game. Henderson State led by as many as nine points, 22-13 midway through the first half.
 
Union was led by Freeman with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Pedro Faller added 14 points including four 3-pointers. Roy Bullock and Corieon Pearson added 10 points each, while Dani Marti grabbed 10 rebounds. Union shot 36 percent from the field, 26 percent (8-31) from behind the arc, and 53 percent (9-17) from the free throw line.
 
Henderson State was led by Denzel Lyles with 20 points. Peri James added 13, Melvin Hayes scored 11, and Andrew Ensley added 10 points. The Reddies shot 49 percent from the field, 43 percent (9-21) from long range, and 81 percent (13-16) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be a road game, Monday, December 17 at NCAA DII No. 13 Kentucky Wesleyan at 7:00 p.m. That will be the final game of the semester for Union.
 
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