JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team posted an 89-86 win over Shorter (Ga.) University to open the Gulf South Conference season. Union, who is receiving votes in the latest NABC National Poll, improved to 7-0, while Shorter dropped to 4-2 on the season. It was the GSC opener for both teams.
 
Shorter took the early lead with the first basket of the game coming on a jumper from Trevor McDade. Shorter held the lead for the entire first half. However, Union stayed close, not falling behind by more than eight points in the first 20 minutes of play. Union trailed just 39-34 at the half with Marterrace Brock leading the Bulldogs with 11 points.
 
In the early minutes of the second half, Union got there first lead of the game when Jordan Montgomery drove the lane to put the Bulldogs up 41-39 with 18:20 left. Shorter tied the game again only six seconds later on two free throws. The lead changed three more times in the next four minutes of the game before Union took the lead for good following an half court alley-oop from KC Goodwin to Brock. Ashanti Day followed a three pointer to give Union the 57-53 lead. Union stretched their lead to as many as 11 points briefly, 74-63, with 3:35 left in the game. Shorter cut the deficit to seven, but Union quickly went back up by 10 points, 80-70, with 1:55 left. Two late turnovers by Union and five missed free throws in the final three minutes kept Shorter in the game. With Union leading 88-81 with 19 seconds left, Shorter hit a three and then got a layup off a Union turnover to cut the Union lead down to just two points, 88-86 with four seconds left. Union's Brock hit one of two free throws to put Union up 89-86 with three seconds left. A long 3-pointer attempt at tying the game by Shorter was off the mark giving Union the win.
 
Union was led by Brock with a career high 33 points. Day added a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Montgomery added 10 points and Serigne Mboup led with 12 rebounds. Union shot 46 percent from the field, 33 percent (8-24) from long range and 58 percent (21-36) from the free throw line.
 
Shorter was led by Phil Taylor with 25 points. Chris Daniels and Alijah Bennett scored 14 points each, while McDade and Amonte Potter each added 10 points. McDade completed his double-double with 10 rebounds. Shorter shot 42 percent from the field, 32 percent (7-22) from long range and 68 percent (15-22) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be their final home game before Christmas, hosting Lee University Saturday, December 5 at 4 p.m. Union will close out the semester with four road games before Christmas.
 
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