Box Score

OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Union University men's basketball team had upset on their minds and nearly pulled it off in their final game of the semester. Union lost at NCAA DII No. 13 Kentucky Wesleyan College 84-73. Union dropped to 2-8 on the season, while Kentucky Wesleyan stayed perfect at 7-0.
 
Union scored first on a 3-pointer from Roy Bulldock. With the exception of a 6-6 tie, Union led for the first 18 minutes of the first half. Their largest lead came at the 10:16 minute mark when a 3-point play from Paul Valdor put Union up 18-9.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan rallied to tie the game at 30-30 with 2:43 left in the half. The Panthers took their first lead of the game, 32-30. Union went back up 33-32 following a 3-pointer form Dani Marti. However, a 3-pointer at the buzzer capped a 7-2 run by Kentucky Wesleyan to close the half, leading 39-35.
 
In the second half, Union scored first again to cut the deficit to two points. The Bulldogs remained close and with 10:22 left in the game, Union tied the game 54-54. Union led one final time, 57-55 with nine minutes left. However, a 12-0 run by the Panthers over the next four minutes pushed their lead to double figures for the first time in the game. The Panthers stretched their lead to as many as 18 points in the game, 82-64, with 1:42 left. Union scored nine of final 11 points of the game to set the final at 84-73.
 
Free throws played a large role in the game, especially in the second half. Kentucky Wesleyan was 31-for-43 from the free throw line in the game, including 23-of-29 in the second half. Union was whistled for 20 fouls in the second half, 33 for the game. Union managed just 13-of-19 from the charity stripe. The Panthers were whistled for 20 fouls. Eight technical fouls were issued in the game, four for Union and four for Kentucky Wesleyan. The Panthers scored 14 of their final 16 points from the free throw line.
 
Union also lost the battle off the bench, being outscored 29-7 from the reserves.
 
Union was led by freshman guard Bulldock with a game-high 24 points and five assists. Dani Marti scored 14 points, Corieon Pearson added 12 points, and Pedro Faller added 10 points. Union leading scorer Anthony Freeman managed just six points and played just 19 minutes after fouling out. Marti, Faller, and Koguashvilli also fouled out for Union. Union shot 39 percent from the field, 33 percent (10-30) from long range, and 68 percent (13-19) from the free throw line.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan put five players in double figures, led by Dominique Dawson with 20 points and 10 rebounds. JD Danforth added a double-double as well with 16 points and 13 boards. Lucas Barker scored 15 points, Dazmond Starke added 12 points, and Donovan Johnson scored 10 points. No Panther players fouled out, but two players received a pair of technical fouls having to sit the remainder of the game. The Panthers shot 41 percent from the field, 33 percent (5-15) from behind the arc, and 72 percent (31-43) from the free throw line.
 
Union will be off for the Christmas break with their next game set for January 3 at home versus Gulf South foe, Delta State (Miss.).
 
#UNION#