Box Score WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Union University men's basketball team raced out to an early lead and held off a Carver (Ga.) College comeback attempt to claim an 88-74 victory in a consolation semifinal Thursday in the NCCAA National Tournament. Union improved 14-16 on the season. Carver slipped to 11-18 overall.
An offensive explosion to begin the game put Union up 15-5 almost four minutes in. The Bulldogs went in front 19-7 when
Miguel Martinez made a shot. Carver cut the score to 21-13 with 12:14 in the half. A 9-0 Bulldogs surge over the next four minutes yielded a 30-13 advantage. The Cougars honed in on a 36-21 Bulldogs advantage. Carver pulled within six points twice in the final 1:30 of play last at 41-35 with 27 seconds to go. A basket by
Corieon Pearson before the half ended put the Bulldogs in front 43-35.
Union held a 49-37 lead after
Roy Bullock recorded an assist on a
Paul Valdor bucket at 17:24. The Cougars made several runs at the Bulldogs coming within seven points on several occasions. A 3-point play at 10:37 by Jamal Saaka cut the score to 62-55. Union increased the lead to 68-57 but Carver scored four straight for a 68-61 score. An 8-0 spurt that included 3-point buckets from Pearson and
Pedro Faller put Union on top 76-61. The Bulldogs took a 17 point lead at 82-65 after a shot by Day at 4:03. Derek Douglas free throws with 3:05 remaining brought Carver within 13, 82-69. Julian Bratton hit a long range shot at 1:25 to make the score 85-74. Union finished the game with two Roberts free throws and an
Eric Leisey shot for the 88-74 final.
Pearson had a game high 26 points. Day and Roberts each had point-rebound double-doubles. Day finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Roberts ended with 13 points and a game high 12 rebounds, all defensive boards.
Bratton scored 22 points to lead Carver. Douglas concluded the game with 17 points and Jamal Saaka had 14 points and a team high six rebounds.
Union will face third-seeded Mid-America (Okla.) Christian University at 4:00 p.m. central time Friday for the fifth place spot in the tournament.
#UNION#
