JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball pulled off a 95-87 win over the University of West Georgia Saturday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 10-2 on the season and 4-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Georgia dropped to 8-2 overall and 3-2 in league play.
 
In a battle of the second and third place teams in the league, Union jumped out to an 11-2 lead to start the game. Union held the lead for the majority of the first half, including a 15-point lead twice, the last coming 41-26 with 4:45 left in the half.
 
However, West Georgia exploded back to close out the half on a 22-3 run to lead 48-44 at the break. West Georgia's Alex Abreu had 17 first half points, while Union's Corieon Pearson led all scorers at the break with 20 points.
 
In the second half, Union did what it need to do early with another good start to the half. Union's Marterrace Brock scored five straight points for Union, including a 3-pointer to give Union the lead again.
 
West Georgia regained the lead again, but could not build anything bigger that a six point lead. Union stayed close and with 9:41 left, took the lead back, 69-68 on a 3-pointer from Pedro Faller. The teams went back-and-forth over the next few minutes before Brock tied the game at 78-78 on a jumper with 5:45 left. After a turnover and foul, Brock put Union on top for good with a free throw that continued a 6-0 run for the Bulldogs. Union pushed their lead to as many as nine points, 93-84, before taking the 98-57 final.
 
Union was led by Pearson with 26 points. Brock added 21 points including 17 in the second half. Ashanti Day recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards, while Jordan Montgomery added 16 points. Union shot 53 percent from the field, including over 50 percent in both halves. Union was 38 percent (8-21) from 3-point range and 80 percent (21-26) from the free throw line.
 
West Georgia was led by Abreu with 31 points including 5-of-8 shooting from long range. Donta Stocks added 20 points and Marcus Dortch scored 10 points. The Wolves shot 42 percent from the field, 39 percent (9-23) from behind the arc, and 87 percent (20-23) from the free throw line.
 
Union is off until January 3 when the team travels to West Florida.
 
#UNION#