CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The No. 24 Union University men's basketball team lost their first game of the season, falling 71-69 at Delta State University. Union dropped to 9-1 on the season and 3-3-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Delta State improved to 8-2 overall and 3-1 in league play. 

For the second straight game, Union's opponent jumped out to a quick lead. Delta State opened the game on a 7-0 run after Mississippi College started the game up 11-0 on Union Thursday night. Union stayed close, cutting the lead down to three points a few times. The just before the end of the half, Delta State pushed out to the largest lead of the half, nine points, 35-26. Union got a layup at the buzzer from KC Goodwin to set the halftime score at 35-28.

Delta State kept their single digit lead for most of the second half until a quick 7-0 run by the Statesmen pushed their lead to the largest of the game, 60-47, with 6:22 left. However, Union did not go away. The Bulldogs mounted a furious comeback and a 3-pointer from Brennon Bowling with 1:22 left cut the Union deficit to just one point, 67-66. The two teams swapped scoring possessions and then a pair of free throws from Delta State's Devin Schmidt put his team up 70-67 with 20 seconds left. Union then missed on a 3-pointer and fouled the rebounder. After Delta State missed the free throws on the other end, Union had another shot. This time Jordan Montgomery was fouled on 3-pointer attempt, giving the Bulldog three free throws to attempt the tie. He made two of three and Delta hit one of two free throws on the other end to go up 71-69. Union's last attempt at a shot did not work, sending the Bulldogs to their first loss of the year.

Union was led by Marterrace Brock with 15 popnits and Roy Bullock with 12 points. Montgomery added 11 points. Union shot 39 percent from the field, 31 percent (8-26) from 3-point range and 63 percent (17-27) from the free throw line. 

Delta State was led by Schmidt with 24 points. PJ Davis added 12 points and James Kilpatrick scored 11 points. The Statesmen shot 48 percent from the field, 38 percent (6-16) from long range and 63 percent (15-24) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be two more road games at West Alabama (Thursday) and West Georgia (Saturday). Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live. 

#UNION#