Box Score
MELBORNE, Fla. – The Union University men's basketball team suffered their first loss of the season 73-72 to Erskine (S.C.) College in the Florida Tech University Thanksgiving Classic. Union dropped to 3-1 on the season, while Erskine improved to 4-3.
Union jumped out to an early 7-1 lead and held the lead for the majority of the first half. Union led by as many as eight points three different times in the first half. However, with 50 second left, Erskine's Mike Gabbard hit a jumper to give his team their first lead, 39-38. That score stood at the half.
In the second half, Erskine continue their momentum from the first half with a 5-0 run to start. Erskine pushed their lead to as many as nine points, 56-47, with 12:15 left in the game.
Union slowly chipped away at their deficit and with 1:48 left, Union tied the game on a 3-pointer from
Pedro Faller. The lead swapped hands three times with two more ties in the final 1:48. With 1:05 left, Union's
Corieon Pearson hit two free throws to put Union up 72-71. On the next possession, Erskine took the lead for good on a layup by Gabbard, 73-72. Union then missed on three shots in the final 25 seconds. Erskine gave Union one final attempt at the winning shot after a pair of missed free throws, but a Union turnover sealed the win for Erskine.
Union was led by Pearson with 24 points, 15 of which came in the second half.
Ashanti Day added 20 points and 10 rebounds. The freshman scored 15 points in the first half. Faller added 10 points, while
AJ Roberts scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Union shot 39 percent from the field, 37 percent (11-30) from 3-point range, and 75 percent (15-20) from the free throw line.
Erskine was led by Perkins Roderick with 25 points, 19 of which came in the first half. Gabbard added 19 points, while Chris Gore posted a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Erskine shot 42 percent from the field, 23 percent (6-26) from long range, and 68 percent (15-22) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be the consolation game in the Florida Tech Thanksgiving Classic Saturday at 1 p.m. central time.
#UNION#
