JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women's basketball team shot 50 percent from 3-point range on their way to an 83-56 win over the University of West Alabama. Union, who is receiving votes in the latest USA Today Sports/WBCA Coaches' Poll, improved to 8-1 on the season and 4-1 in the Gulf South Conference. West Alabama dropped to 4-5 overall and 1-4 in league play.
 
Union drained 11-of-22 3-pointers including seven of their first nine and 7-of-15 in the first half. Senior guard Amy Philamlee started the game hitting her first four from long range. She finished with a game-high 22 points.
 
Philamlee and Risner hit back-to-back 3-pointers for Union for their team's first six points. However, after a little over four minutes of play, Union was down 9-8. A pair of Chelsea Bodiford free throws put Union up on the next possession. Then, after a tie game at 17-17, Union posted eight straight points to take the lead for good. Their 13-point (39-26) halftime lead was the largest of the first half.
 
Almost five minutes into the second half, the teams had played even as Union maintained their 13 point advantage, 49-36. But then Union rolled off a 15-0 run to lead by 28 points with 11:05 left in the game. Union kept the lead in the 20's for the rest of the way, with that 28 point advantage being the largest of the game.
 
Philamlee scored 14 of her 22 points in the first half. Philamlee added 11 assists to record a double-double. DeAnna Thompson joined Philamlee with her sixth double-double of the year, recording 17 points and 11 rebounds. Risner added 14 points for Union. Nine of the 10 Union player scored in the game, including newcomer to the team, Jaclissa Haislip with seven points in four minutes of play in her first game with the Lady Bulldogs. Union shot 49 percent from the field, 50 percent (11-22) from 3-point range, and 84 percent (16-19) from the free throw line.
 
Union was outrebounded in the game 46-38, including 21-6 offensively. Union was outscored 18-4 in second chance points, but won the points in the paint battle 28-20 and points off turnovers 14-0. There were only 14 total turnovers in the contest, eight by West Alabama.
 
West Alabama was led by Kelcia Bufkin with 21 points, including five 3-pointers. Britney McCloud added 16 points for the Tigers. West Alabama shot 30 percent from the field, 24 percent (6-25) from long range, and 50 percent (6-12) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be the final game of a four-game home stretch, Saturday at 2 p.m. versus West Georgia. It will also be the final game for Union before the Christmas Break. The game can be heard live on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
 
#UNION#