CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 9 Union University women's basketball team fell 63-59 to No. 26 Delta State University. Union lost for the first time this season, dropping to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Delta State remained perfect at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in league play. 

Delta State opened the game with a 5-0 run, but Union responded to lead 8-7. Delta State regained control and led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter. Union trailed by as many as six points twice in the first half, but rallied to trail just one 25-24 at the half. Union outscored DSU 13-8 in the second quarter.

In the second half, Union and Delta State went back and forth with Union getting a couple of one point leads and not trailing by more that four points at anytime during the third quarter. At the end of three quarter, Union was still down one, 44-43. In the fourth, Delta State surged ahead, earning their largest lead of the game at 53-45 with 5:45 left to play. Union again responded on the road and cut down to as close as two points three times, including 61-59 with four seconds left. But a pair of free throws from Delta State set the final at 63-59. 

Union was led by Tiara Caldwell and Jada Smith with 17 points each, while Kelsey Risner added 12 points. Risner was 4-of-10 from the 3-point line, while Union's only other long range make was from Tiffany Rechis, 1-of-4. Union shot 47 percent from the field and 33 percent (5-15) from 3-point range. Union managed only six free throw attempts in the game, making four (67%). 

Delta State was led by Chelsey Rhodes with 29 points, including 15-of-17 from the free throw line. Becca Ruckes added 13 points. Anissa Jackson led with a game high 12 rebounds. The Lady Statemen shot 45 percent from the field, 25 percent from long range (2-8) and 81 percent (17-21) 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 live on the web at www.uuathletics.com/live. 

#UNION#