VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Union University men's basketball team posted an 84-78 win at Valdosta State (Ga.) University Monday evening. Union improved to 12-2 on the season, and a league best 6-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Valdosta State dropped to 7-7 overall and 2-6 in league play.
 
Union has now won four straight games on the season for Union, all coming in conference play. This marked the first time that Union has won at Valdosta State in the three years Union has played in the Gulf South. It also marked the first time for Union to go on the road and sweep a weekend trip in their short history in the GSC.
 
The Bulldogs opened the game with a layup from Corieon Pearson. After that, the teams went back-and-forth producing seven ties and five lead changes. Union led by as many as five points in the first half, while Valdosta State's largest lead was three points. Union led by three, 37-34 at the break.
 
In the second half, Union never let go of the lead, but could not put the Blazers away. Union jumped out to a nine point lead, 48-39 at the 17:57 mark in the second half. Union held three more nine point leads over the next 10 minutes of play. But then Valdosta State began to rally and with 5:53 left, the Blazers had cut Union's lead down to just one point, 67-66.
 
However, a quick 8-0 run for Union pushed the lead back to nine points, 75-66, with 4:03 left. Union led one more time by nine points, 81-72, matching their largest lead of the game with 48 seconds left. A couple of late 3-pointers from Valdosta State cut Union's final margin of victory down to six points, 84-78.
 
Union was led by Marterrace Brock with 20 points, 11 of which came in the second half. Pearson added 19 points. Pedro Faller hit for 14 points, all coming in the second half. He was 3-of-3 from long range in the final 20 minutes. Ashanti Day grabbed another double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. He was 10-of-10 from the free throw line until two misses late in the game. Union shot 43 percent from the field, including 43 percent (9-21) from 3-point range. Union was 6-of-10 from long range in the second half. Union was also 78 percent (25-32) from the free throw line.
 
Valdosta State was led by Colin Cook with 18 points. Jeff Nibo added 14 points, while James Spencer scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Blazers shot 38 percent from the field, 24 percent (4-17) from 3-point range, and 79 percent (22-28) from the free throw line.  
 
Up next for Union will be their first home game of the new year, Saturday, January 10 versus Alabama Huntsville at 4 p.m. The game can be heard on 93.1 FM, seen on Eplus TV 6, or online at www.uuathletics.com.
 
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