Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Union University men's basketball team missed what would have been a third straight victory in an 82-77 loss at NCAA DII No. 8 University of Alabama-Huntsville. Union dropped to 6-17 on the season and 4-11 in the Gulf South Conference. Alabama-Huntsville improved to 20-4 overall and a league best 13-3 in the GSC.
 
Union had won two straight games entering tonight's contest, both coming over the second and third place teams in the Gulf South Conference (101-99 over No. 24 North Alabama, and 73-70 over Christian Brothers). However, both of those wins came at home. This loss dropped Union to 0-11 on the road this season.
 
Union jumped out early and led 10-4 after nearly four minutes of play. Union controlled the first half and extended their lead out to as many as 15 points, 33-18, with 5:48 left in the half. However, Union was dealing with foul trouble as all five starters has two fouls each in the first half. Over the final five minutes of the first half, Alabama-Huntsville outscored Union 13-4 to cut Union lead down to 37-31 with 43 seconds left in the half. Union's Corieon Pearson drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send Union to the locker room up 40-31.
 
In the second half, Alabama-Huntsville continued the momentum they had as the first half ended. The Chargers outscored Union 17-5 over the first four minutes to take their first lead since 4-2. UAH led 48-45 with 16 minutes to go in the game. Union answered with a 3-pointer from Dani Marti to tie the game again. Alabama-Huntsville answered with a 3-pointer of their own to take the lead for good. The Chargers led by as many as eight points in the second half. But Union didn't go away, getting as close as one point several times down the stretch. In the final minute of play, Union got as close at four points, 78-74, with 28 seconds left. But the Chargers, led by the free throw shooting of Jaime Smith, who was 16-of-17 in the game, sealed the win. The Chargers were 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the final 34 seconds.
 
Alabama-Huntsville outscored Union 51-37 in the second half.
 
Union was led by Anthony Freeman with 21 points. Roy Bullock added 18 points, Pedro Faller scored 11 points, and Pearson added 10 points. Union shot 51 percent from the field, 37 percent (10-27) from long range, and 86 percent (7-8) from the free throw line.
 
Alabama-Huntsville was led by Smith with a game-high 31 points, including three 3-pointers and 16 free throws. Wayne Dedrick scored 17 points, while Zane Campbell and Ronnie Mack added 14 points. The Chargers shot 50 percent from the field, 44 percent (12-27) from 3-point range, and 83 percent (20-24) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be Homecoming, Saturday, February 23 versus Shorter (Ga.) at 4:00 p.m.
 
#UNION#