JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women's basketball team posted a 67-63 win over Delta State (Miss.) University Saturday at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 7-1 on the season and 3-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Delta State dropped to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in league play.
 
The teams started sluggish in the first half with neither team able to get much going offensively in the first half. Delta State scored the first seven points of the game, before Union was finally able to get on the board at the 15:49 mark with a 3-pointer from Amy Philamlee. Union trailed for the entire first half, by as many as eight points once. However, Union kept the game in reach and at the half, had cut the deficit to two points, 24-22.
 
Union's Kelsey Risner drained a 3-pointer right out of the half to give her team their first lead of the game at 25-24. Delta State quickly responded and went back up by as many as six points. Union tied the game and took the lead 40-38 on two free throws from Amber Rechis. But again, the lead was short-lived as Delta State rolled off eight straight points to regain their six point lead, 46-40 with 9:23 left.
 
Union kept it close and with 6:41 left, Union tied the game again, 50-50. After swapping baskets, Union posted their largest offensive explosion of the night with a 11-3 run to take their largest lead of the game at 63-55 with 2:38 left. Union got a 3-pointers from Rechis and Chelsea Bodiford, and a 3-point play from Philamlee as a part of the run.
 
Delta State was not finished as they posted a 3-pointer and a 3-point play on back-to-back possessions to cut the deficit to two, 63-61. However, Union was perfect from the free throw line in their final 11 free throws in the game, including 4-for-4 in the final 17 seconds. Senior post DeAnna Thompson hit the two biggest of those four free throws with 17 seconds left and Union leading by just two points.
 
Union was led by Philamlee with 20 points, including 12 in the second half. She was 7-of-10 from the field, 1-of-2 from 3-point range, and 5-of-5 from the free throw line. She also led Union with five assists. Kelsey Risner added 17 points and 13 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Thompson had nine points and eight rebounds. Union shot 44 percent from the field, including 56 percent in the second half. The Lady Bulldogs were 9-of-28 (32%) from 3-point range, and shot 82 percent (14-17) from the free throw line.
 
Union outrebounded Delta State 34-27, including 12-9 on the offensive glass. However, Delta State won the points in the paint battle 24-18.
 
Delta State was led by Ball with 19 points. Becca Ruckes added 13 points and Anissa Jackson scored 12 points. The Lady Statesmen shot 45 percent from the field, 17 percent (2-12) from long range, and 63 percent (15-24) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be a third straight home game, Thursday, December 18 at 6:00 p.m. versus West Alabama. The game can be heard on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
 
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