Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team rallied from an early deficit, but fell late to William Carey (Miss.) University 83-79 at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union dropped to 2-6 on the season. William Carey, who is ranked No. 15 in the NAIA, improved to 9-1 on the season.
                        
William Carey opening the game with a three pointer from Daron Bell and quickly jumped out to a 13-4 lead over the first four minutes of play. The Crusaders continued to shoot well early as they extended their lead to as many as 17 points, 34-17, with 9:02 left in the half. William Carey shot 57 percent from the field in the first half, including 62 percent (8-13) from long range.
 
Union trailed by as many as 17 points three different times in the first half, with last time coming, 38-21, with 6:41 left. Union closed out the final six minutes of the half, outscoring William Carey 17-12 to cut the halftime deficit to 50-38.
 
In the second half, Union slowly continued to cut into the William Carey lead. With 10:51 left in the game, Union's Corieon Pearson sank a jumper to pull the Bulldogs to within one point, 64-63. William Carey got the lead back out to as many as seven points, but Union responded again. With 2:27 left, Union pulled to within two points again, 76-74.
 
Union was not able to ever take the lead as the Crusaders made 7-of-8 free throws in the final two minutes to seal the 83-79 win.
 
Union was led by Pearson with 19 points. Dani Marti added a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Pedro Faller score 17 points, including five 3-pointers, while Anthony Freeman added 12 points. The Bulldogs shot 46 percent from the field, 37 percent (10-27) from behind the arc, and 50 percent (5-10) from the free throw line.
 
William Carey was paced by Daron Bell and Kelvin Nixon with 24 and 21 points respectively. Jeremiah Dunnings added 13 points and Guy Payne scored 12 points. The Crusaders shot 48 percent from the field, 53 percent (9-17) from long range, and 73 percent (8-11) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be their final home game before the Christmas Break as they host Henderson State (Ark.) Saturday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. 
 
#UNION#