Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team posted an 81-76 win over the University of West Florida Thursday evening at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 7-4 on the season and 3-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Florida dropped to 2-9 overall and 1-4 in league play.
 
Union has now won 11 of their last 12 home games, including seven of their last eight Gulf South Conference home games.
 
Union scored first on a 3-pointer from Pedro Faller. Over the next five minutes, the lead changed hands five times and there were five ties. Union took a 13-11 lead on a 3-pointer form Roy Bullock, sparking a 13-2 run for Union as the Bulldogs went up 23-13 with 12:23 left in the half. The 10-point advantage for Union was their largest of the game.
 
West Florida responded and regained the lead 34-31 at the 3:41 mark. West Florida led 40-38 at the half thanks to a jumper by Terrence Townes at the buzzer.
 
In the second half, West Florida jumped up by five points, 46-41, before Union was able to regain the lead at 51-50. Union's advantage was short-lived as West Florida extended their lead to the biggest of the game, 64-58, with 8:41 left.  
 
However, as they did Monday night with a 13-point deficit with seven minutes to play versus Lee, Union posted a late game rally to earn the win.  Union posted a 9-2 run to regain the lead at 67-65 with 6:28 left. West Florida led again briefly, 69-67, but Union took the lead for good, 72-69, following a 3-pointer from Faller.
 
With Union clinging to a one point lead, 72-71 and 2:19 on the clock, Union's lone senior AJ Roberts scored five straight points for the Bulldogs. He drained a pair of free throws to put Union up  74-71, then followed on the next possession with a 3-pointer to set the score at 77-72 with 1:20 left. Union was 6-of-8 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to seal the win.
 
The game featured 13 ties and 14 lead changes.
 
Union committed just six turnovers in the game and shot 56 percent (9-16) from 3-point range. Union was 49 percent from the field and 76 percent (28-37) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs put five players in double figures led by Faller and Corieon Pearson with 17 points each. Bullock added 15 points, while Roberts scored 14, and Ashanti Day added 13. Pearson led with six assists.
 
West Florida dominated the glass, outrebounding Union 38-22, including 12-3 on the offensive side. However, the Argos committed 12 turnovers and were 0-of-5 from long range in the game. West Florida did post 53 percent shooting from the field and 80 percent shooting (16-20) from the free throw line. West Florida was led by Townes with a game-high 22 points. Nate Johnson posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Deangelo Legrier added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Ellis Young scored 10 points.
 
Up next for Union will be a third straight home game as the Bulldogs host Valdosta State (Ga.) Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
 
#UNION#