Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women's basketball team fell 69-60 to the University of West Florida Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union dropped to 8-3 on the season and 3-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Florida improved to 8-3 overall and 3-2 in league play.
 
For Union, is was their second straight home loss. This is the first time in the 14-plus year career of Mark Campbell that Union has dropped two straight at home. Dating back to the 1980-81 season when home/road records were recorded, Union had never lost two straight home games.
 
For West Florida, after starting the conference season 0-2, the Argos have won three straight.
 
West Florida started the game with a 10-0 run and that proved to be the difference in the nine point loss. After the 10-0 run, Union outscored West Florida 60-59 in the remainder of the game.
 
Union got their first basket at the 16:09 mark on a 3-pointer from Amber Rechis. Union cut the deficit to five points on two free throws from Shelby Ashcraft. After a 3-point play from West Florida, Union scored two baskets to cut the deficit to four points, 13-9 with13:14 left in the half.
 
However, West Florida regained control and extended their lead to as many as 16 points, 31-15, before taking a 35-21 lead into the break. Union made just seven field goals in the first half and committed 12 turnovers.
 
Over the first three minutes of the second half, West Florida extended their lead to a game-high 18 points, 41-23 and looked to be running away.
 
Union answered with a 3-pointer from Amy Philamlee. The Lady Bulldogs cut the deficit down to 13 points five different times during the next 10 minutes of play. Finally, with Union trailing again by 13 points, 54-41, with 5:43 left, the Lady Bulldogs started to rally. Union scored six straight points capped by another 3-pointer from Rechis. After West Florida went back up by 10 points, Union got as close as six points in the final minute, 61-55, but West Florida was 8-of-9 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the win.
 
Union was led by Amy Philamlee with 20 points. Rechis scored 12 points, while LaTesa McLaughlin added 11 points and six assists. Union shot 41 percent from the field, 33 percent (7-21) from long range, and 81 percent (13-16) from the free throw line.
 
West Florida was led by Raquel Miller with 20 points. Tessah Holt added 15 points and Jenny Menz scored 14 points. The Argos shot 54 percent from the field, was 0-of-3 from 3-point range, and was 76 percent (19-25) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be a third straight home game, Saturday, January 11 versus Valdosta State (Ga.) at 2:00 p.m.
 
#UNION#