Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team held off a comeback attempt by Valdosta State (Ga.) University in the latter stages of the contest for their third consecutive win, 64-54 on Saturday afternoon in Fred DeLay Gymnasium. The win raised the Bulldogs to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in the Gulf South Conference. The Blazers are 9-3 on the season, 3-3 in GSC action.

An up tempo first half resulted in a combined 67 shots but only 24 made. The Blazers hit three of their first five shots to go in front 6-3, their last lead of the game. Union responded with a 9-0 run in a little over a minute getting a layup from AJ Roberts, an offensive rebound stickback from Miguel Martinez, a Pedro Faller 3-point basket off a Corieon Pearson feed and a Pearson layup ignited by an Ashanti Day defensive rebound to take a 12-6 advantage at 16:16. The Bulldogs pushed the margin to 14 twice in the last four minutes of the half, the second occurring when Roberts sank a pair of free throws for a 34-20 lead with 2:37 to go. Union led at the half 36-24. Each team struggled in the half from 3-point range with Union going 3-of-12 and Valdosta State 0-of-12.

The Blazers closed within five points at 36-31 when Jalen Crawford hit a free throw to complete a three-point play at the 17:11 mark. Union answered with a 10-3 run to regain a 12-point lead 46-34. Roberts dished the ball to Pearson who knocked home a 3-point shot from the right corner followed by a pair of free throws and a layup by Day and at 12:46 a Roberts basket and free-throw. Crawford swiped the ball from Roberts with 5:51 to play and emphatically jammed the ball to bring Valdosta State within three, 54-51. Crawford drove the lane and kicked the ball out to an awaiting Larry Stone, who sank a 3-point basket from the top of the key to trim the score to 56-54 at 3:04. Union ended the contest by scoring the last eight points of the game including four-of-five free throws in the final 2:05 for the 64-54 victory.

Pearson had a game high 22 points to pace the Union scoring attack with 14 in the opening half. Roberts contributed 12, while Day had eight points and a game high 11 rebounds. Union had a 45-38 rebounding advantage in the contest. The Bulldogs committed 16 turnovers to only 11 for the Blazers. Union shot 41 percent from the field, 20 percent (4-20) from 3-point range, and 88 percent (14-16) from the free throw line.

Jeremy McKay led the Blazers balanced scoring with 10 points. Five Valdosta State players scored eight or more points. The defensive effort by the Bulldogs resulted in the Blazers second lowest shooting percentage (.314) of the season. The Blazers were just 16 percent (4-25) from 3-point range, and made 86 percent (6-of-7) from the free throw line.

Union travels to Christian Brothers University for a 7:00 p.m. showdown in Canale Arena.

#UNION#