Box Score

ROME, Ga. – The Union University women's basketball team posted a 59-56 win at Shorter University for their season high fourth straight win. Union improved to 7-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Shorter dropped to 3-5 on the season and 1-1 in league play.
 
This win snapped a two-game skid for Union against Shorter's women. The trip to Shorter last season ended with a Union loss on a last second 3-pointer by Shorter.
 
This game ended with another close finish, but it was not close in the early going. Union jumped out to a 12-0 lead to start the game. A pair of 3-pointers, one from Amber Rechis and one from LaTesa McLaughlin, sparked that early run. Shorter finally got on the board with a free throw at the 15.33 mark to set the scored at 12-1. Union extended their lead to as many as 14 points twice in the first half, before taking a 10-point 32-22 lead into halftime. Union maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the first half, including the final 10 minutes.
 
In the second half, Shorter cut their deficit down to just three points, 36-33, following an 11-4 run to start the second half. However, Union was able to answer and pushed their lead back up to 12 points, 46-34, thanks to a 10-1 run.
 
But again, the home Hawks rallied and got to within one point, 55-54, with 2:14 left in the game. Union, however, never gave up the lead. Union got a layup from Amy Philamlee and a pair of free throws from McLaughlin down the stretch to help seal the win. Union moved ahead by five points, 59-54, until a layup by Shorter's Karisma Boykin cut the final deficit to three points. Union missed on a late free throw, but Shorter was not able to get a shot off in the end. Shorter managed just two points in the final 2:14 of play.
 
Union was led by Philamlee with 17 points, 11 of which came in the second half. She was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line for Union. McLaughlin scored 12 of her 16 points in the first half. Six other Union players scored in the game. Union shot 46 percent from the field, 32 percent (6-19) from long range, and 87 percent (13-16) from the free throw line.
                       
Shorter was led by Lynette Harris with 14 points and Karisma Boykin with 11 points. The Hawks shot 43 percent from the field, 29 percent (5-17) from 3-point range, and 56 percent (9-16) from the free throw line.
 
Union will continue their road trip with a game at West Georgia Friday at 4:30 p.m. central time. This will be the final game for Union until they return to action January 6 at home versus Lee (Tenn.).
 
#UNION#