TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 13 Union University women's basketball team posted a 76-68 overtime win over Rollins College in the first game of the Tampa University Classic. This was the first regular season game of the year for both teams.
The win for Union was also win number 510 for
Mark Campbell. Campbell becomes the all-time leader in wins in Union women's basketball history, passing NAIA Hall of Fame Coach, David Blacksock's 509 wins. Campbell, now in his 17
th season, is 510-70. Blackstock was 509-89 in 18 total seasons.
Rollins was one of the eight teams that played at Union last season in the NCAA DII South Region Tournament. Rollins is receiving votes in the WBCA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Union outscored Rollins 12-4 in the overtime period after surrendering a 21-point second half lead. Union's largest lead was 53-32 with 5:11 left in the third quarter falling a 3-pointer from
Tiffany Rechis. However, with the final bucket of regulation in the final seconds, Rollins tied the game at 64-64, sending the contest to overtime.
Union managed just nine points in the fourth quarter, giving up 19 to Rollins. Union led 22-16 after the first quarter and led 35-25 at the half.
Union won the game, having never trailed in the contest and only having three tie scores. The first time was early at 2-2, then once at the end of regulation 64-64 and once in overtime 66-66.
Union was led by
Chelsea Bodiford with a game-high 18 points, including three of six shooting from long range.
Tiara Caldwell added 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Jada Perkins scored 13 points and
Jada Smith added 10 points. Union shot 45 percent from the field, 41 percent (7-17) from long range and 85 percent (17-20) from the free throw line.
Rollins had 11 different players score in the game, led by Gilbert with 15 points. Rollins shot 35 percent from the field, 21 percent (6-29) from 3-point range and 55 percent (12-22) from the free throw line.
Union committed 18 turnovers in the game to just seven for Rollins. Union outrebounded Rollins 46-38 in the game with Rollins getting 17 offensive rebounds.
Up next for Union will be another team receiving votes in the preseason poll, tournament host Tampa. Union and Tampa square off Saturday at 6 p.m. central time.
