Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – After a near two week break in the schedule the Union University men's basketball team enjoyed their return to the home court with a narrow win over Concordia (Ala.) College 88-79. The game was postponed Dec. 7 due to weather. The victory moves the Bulldogs to 4-2, while the Hornets dropped to 8-6.
 
The scoring did not begin until 17:38 when Union's Corieon Pearson splashed home a three point basket for Union. Pedro Faller followed with a three at 16:43 for a 6-0 Union lead. The Hornets responded tying the score 6-6 on a basket by Jeremy Sturdivant and a pair of buckets from Harry Cross. Union scored the next five points only to see Concordia tie the game 11-11 at 11:01. The teams tied again at 14-14 and 17-17. Concordia led 22-18 after a jump shot by Quintavious Kelly with 6:40 to go. The Bulldogs finished the half on a 14-7 run with Roy Bullock scoring 10 of the Bulldogs final 13 points for a 32-29 edge at halftime.  
 
The Hornets hung with the Bulldogs in the second half still trailing by three, 42-39 after Cross popped in a three at 16:03. A jumper by Eric Leisey capped a 14-0 spree that put Union in front 56-39 at the 12:44 mark. Bryan Rollins hit three 3-point shots as part of a 10-2 run for Concordia to trim the deficit to 60-51 a little less than midway through the second half. Faller made a layup as Union regained a 17-point margin 75-58 at 6:06. Kelly knocked in a three for Concordia that cut the Union lead to seven, 81-74 with 1:09 to play. Union made 5-of-8 from the free throw line in the last :49 to claim the 88-79 victory.
 
Each team had four players score in double figures. Pearson led the Bulldogs with 22 points and a team high five assists. Bullock scored 21, Faller 14 and Felipe Rocha 11. Ashanti Day led all players with 11 rebounds. Union shot 44 percent from the field, 46 percent (10-22) from long range, and 69 percent (24-35) from the free throw line.

Pacing the Hornets offense with 19 points each were Cross and Kelly. Rollins added 17 and Sturdivant had 11. Concordia shot 43 percent from the field, 41 percent (14-34) from behind the arc, and 72 percent (13-18) from the free throw line.
 
Union will host No. 25 North Alabama Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The game is the Gulf South Conference season opener for both teams.

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