Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team posted an 83-82 overtime win over Shorter (Ga.) University Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 10-7 on the season and 6-5 in the Gulf South Conference. Shorter dropped to 8-9 overall and 5-6 in league play.

This marked the second straight 1-point victory for Union's men following a dramatic buzzer-beater win over West Alabama last Saturday.

Tonight, Union had the ball at the end of regulation, but last week's hero Corieon Pearson missed this time as the horn sounded, sending the game to overtime tied at 76-76. However, it would be Pearson again, making the game winning play for the Bulldogs at the end of overtime.

Union scored first in overtime as AJ Roberts converted a 3-point play just 20 seconds into the extra period. Union never lost the lead. Union led 83-79 with 59 seconds left following a long 2-pointer from Ashanti Day. Shorter responded quickly as Kurtis Woods drained a 3-pointer just seven seconds later to cut the deficit to one point.

After Union missed a shot attempt with 24 second left, Shorter had the ball for the last shot trailing by a point, 83-82. Woods missed on a shot with five second left and Union's Pearson grabbed the rebounded. Pearson was fouled with three second left.

Pearson, a 73 percent free throw shooter on the year, missed both free throws. However, the junior guard was able to grab his own rebound and toss the ball in the air before going out of bounds, burning the final three seconds, giving Union the win.

Union scored first in the game with a three pointer from Roberts at the 18:25 mark to lead 3-0. Union jumped out to a quick 13-6 lead at the 15:33 mark. Union led by seven points again, 20-13, at the 11:38 mark. Shorter responded with a 6-0 run to cut Union's lead to one. Shorter took their first lead of the game, 29-28, at the 5:03 mark of the first half. Shorter stretched their lead to seven points, 35-28, with 1:52 left. Union then responded with an 8-1 run to close the first half, capped by another 3-pointer from Roberts at the buzzer, tying the game, 36-36 at the half.

In the second half, Union took their largest lead of the game, 47-39 with 17:06 left. Shorter rallied to regain the lead, 63-59, with nine minutes left. Shorter maintained a small lead and with 3:47 left, held the same four point advantage, 72-68.

Union responded with a 6-1 run, including a 3-pointer from Roy Bullock, and another 3-point play from Roberts to go up 74-73 with 2:40 left. Union led 76-74 after a basket from Pearson with 46 seconds left. Shorter's Brandon Pullman tied the game with a bucket with 27 seconds left in regulation.

Union was led by Roberts with a game-high 27 points, including 9-of-16 shooting from the field, 3-of-7 from long range, and perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Bullock and Pearson added 18 points each, while Ashanti Day scored 12 points. Union shot 41 from the field, 29 percent (11-38) from 3-point range, and 67 percent (10-15).

Shorter was led by Jordan Jacks with 21 points and 18 rebounds. Dedric Ware added 20 points. Woods scored 18 points, Travis Jones added 12 points, while Pullman grabbed 12 rebounds. The Hawks shot 44 percent from the field, 31 percent (5-16) from long range, and 74 percent (23-31) from the free throw line.

Up next for Union is the fourth of four straight home games, Saturday at 4:00 p.m. versus West Georgia.

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