JACKSON, Tenn.- The Union University men's basketball team improved to 13-4 on the season after taking down Christian Brothers (Tenn.) University 58-55 in the final seconds of the game. Union's Gulf South Conference record improved to 7-4, while Christian Brothers fell to 5-6 in conference play and 8-7 overall.
 
After leading most of the way Union let Christian Brothers back in the game. Union led by as many as 11 points early in the second half. After the Bucs slowly chipped away at the lead, Union and Christian were tied at 51 apiece with 2:51 left. Then, Union's Jordan Montgomery hit the first of two crucial three pointers for Union in the closing minutes of the game to make the Union lead 54-51.
 
However, CBU was able to tie the game at 55-55 with a layup and free throw and only 35 seconds left on the clock. Both teams them missed on front end of one-and-ones. The Bulldogs took the rebound and got the ball into the hands of senior guard Corieon Pearson. After working the clock down to three seconds, Pearson hit a step-back 3-pointer, putting Union in the lead 58-55 with only 1.8 seconds remaining After a timeout by CBU, a bad pass prevented the Bucs from getting a shot off at the buzzer.
 
Union shot 41.7% from behind the arc and 35.7% from the field, while Christian Brothers shot 41.8% from the field and 35.0% from 3-pointer range.
 
The Bulldogs were led by Montgomery with 16 points on the night and seven rebounds. Pearson added 13 points, 10 coming in the second half. He was 4-of-7 from long range in the game. Ashanti Day lead Union in rebounds with nine, as well as adding 11 points. Union shot 67 percent (8-12) from the free throw line.
 
The Bucs were led by Ryan Fleming and Trey Casey, each with 12 points. Sidy Sall lead the team in rebounds with 11, and added 11 points. Christian Brothers was just 2-of-6 from the line for 33 percent.
 
Union will get a week of rest before getting back to conference action on Thursday, January 22, when they take on Lee (Tenn.) at 8:00 p.m. in Fred Delay Gymnasium. The game can be heard on 93.1 FM, seen on Eplus TV 6, or online at www.uuathletics.com.
 
#UNION#