CLEVELAND, Tenn.- The Union University men's basketball received their first loss of the season losing at Lee (Tenn.) University 78-71 Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell to 7-1 on the regular season and 1-1 in Gulf South Conference play. Lee improves to 6-1 overall and 1-1 in conference.
 
Union came out slow falling to a 15-2 deficit in the first five minutes of play but the Bulldogs were able to score 11 straight points to get themselves back into the ball game. Union kept pace with Lee for the rest of the first half but still entered the locker room down five, 37-32, after shooting 37.5% from the field and 35.3% from 3-point territory.
 
The same pace of play continued through the early minutes of the second half until Union was able to go on 13 point run to go up 52-41 with 12:47 left on the clock. Lee slowly chipped away at the lead until they tied the game 62-62 with 6:37 left and were able to keep themselves within striking distance.
 
After leading 71-67 with 3:01 left, Union would not score another point for the rest of the game allowing Lee to go on a 11 point run to win the game 78-71.
 
Union was lead by Corieon Pearson with 28 points including five 3-ponters. Ashanti Day added 18 points. Day and Marterrace Brock lead the bulldogs with seven rebounds and four assists a piece.
 
Lee was lead Stedmond Ford with 17 points, while Cory Billingsley and Tyquan Roberts had 15 points each. Lee shot 51.0% from the field and 73.3% from the free throw line.
 
Union will return home for a four game home stretch that starts off Thursday, December 11^th, at 8:00 p.m. with Mississippi College, and continues Saturday, December 13^th, against Delta State (Miss.) at 4:00 p.m. Both games can be heard on WWGM 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
 
#UNION#