Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women's basketball team cruised to a 91-72 win over Shorter (Ga.) University Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 13-4 on the season and 8-3 in the Gulf South Conference. Shorter dropped to 5-12 on the season and 3-8 in league play.
 
Union tied the school record with 19 made 3-pointers in the game. This marked the four time in program history, and first time since March 13 of last season when Union his 19 against Tennessee Temple in the NCCAA MidEast Region Tournament. Union hit 19 in a game in 2011 and 2006 also.
 
Over the last four home games for Union, the Lady Bulldogs have hit 71 3-pointers (17.8 per game). This is the third straight home game for Union to shoot over 50 percent from the field and the fourth straight home game for Union to shoot over 50 percent from 3-point range. Union has been over 50 percent from long range six time this year. On the season, Union is shooting 43 percent (192-450) from 3-point range. In fact, almost half of Union's made shots on the year (46%) have been 3-pointers.
 
Union started the game with the first of seven 3-pointers for Amy Philamlee on the team's first possession. However, Union did not score again until a layup by DeAnna Thompson tied the game at 5-5 at the 14:41 mark. That layup from Thompson sparked a 19-0 run for the Lady Bulldogs that vaulted Union from down 5-3 to up 22-5. During that stretch, Union was 5-of-6 from the 3-point line. Philamlee's 3 at the 10:15 mark put Union up 22-5.
 
Union extended their first half lead to as many as 25 points, 31-9, before taking a 23 point lead, 48-25, into the half. Union hit 11-of-18 3-pointers in the first half, including 5-of-7 from Philamlee who ended the half with 21 points.
 
In the second half, Union kept the lead in the 20's while extended their lead to as many as 27 points, 70-43, with 10 minutes to play in the game. Shorter cut the deficit down to as close as 18 points late, before Union took the win, 91-72.
 
Philamlee finished with a game-high 30 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, 7-of-9 from long range, and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. She filled up the stat sheet with seven assists and six rebounds in the game. LaTesa McLaughlin added 18 points, going 5-of-6 from the field, 4-of-4 from 3-point range, and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. Astrid Huttemann added 15 points with three 3-pointers. Two other Union players hit 3-pointers to help tie the record including Kelsey Risner (3-for-6) and Amber Rechis (2-for-5). Union shot 51 percent from the field, 59 percent (19-32) from 3-point range, and 77 percent (20-26) from the free throw line.
 
Shorter was led by Ieshia Alexander with 20 points. Karisma Boykin scored 18 points, while Kristin Nash and Lynette Harris added 13 points each. The Lady Hawks shot 47 percent from the field, 33 percent (5-15) from long range, and 75 percent (21-28) form the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be the fourth of four straight home game, Saturday vs. West Georgia at 2 p.m.
 
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