JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women's basketball team clinched the 2015 Gulf South Conference Regular Season Title and No. 1 seed in the conference tournament following a 97-84 win over the University of North Alabama. Union improved to 21-3 on the season and 17-3 in league play, a three game lead over both West Florida and Delta State with just two regular season games remaining. North Alabama dropped to 13-11 overall and 10-10 in the conference.
 
Union was led by senior guard Amy Philamlee who poured in a career-high 42 points on senior night. She was just three points shy of the Union single game scoring record of 45 points, and two points shy of the regulation scoring record of 44 points. She is the first Union Lady Bulldog player to hit for 40 points in a game in over 10 years. She was the first since NAIA National Player of the Year Stephanie Clark scored 40 back in 2004.
 
Union shot a blistering 71 percent from the field in the first half, including 10-of-12 from 3-point range (83%). Union sank their first three 3-pointers in the game before missing one. Then Union his seven straight from long range before a desperation 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer was off the mark.
 
Union stormed out of the gates on fire with three straight 3-pointers to lead 9-0. Two of those coming from senior guard Amber Rechis and one from DeAnna Thompson. Union quickly pushed their lead to double figures, 20-10 after a 3-pointer from Chelsea Bodiford.
 
Philamlee got into the 3-point action with her first of the game to put Union up 23-10 with 12:33 left in the half. However, with eight minutes left in the half, Philamlee had just five points. She finished the half by adding 16 more points in eight minutes to finish with 21 at the break. Union led by as many as 21 points three different times in the first half before taking the 57-40 lead into the break.
 
In the second half, Union pushed their lead back up to 21 points a few times and seemed to be ready to coast in the second half. However, North Alabama slowly chipped away at Union's lead as the Lady Bulldogs hit a cold stretch. Union also struggled to get rebounds as North Alabama outrebounded Union 38-26 in the game, including 19-4 on the offensive glass. In doing so, North Alabama dominated Union 18-2 in second chance points.
 
North Alabama got as close as nine points, 78-69 with 6:59 left to play. However, Union's senior leader drained a 3-pointer to put her team back up by double figures for good. Union pushed their lead to 16 down the stretch before taking the 13-point win.
 
In addition to Philamlee's 42 points, the guard dished out 14 assists. She shot 12-of-16 from the field, 3-of-4 from 3-point range and was a perfect 15-of-15 from the free throw line. Thompson finished with 20 points including a season best 3-for-3 from long range. Chelsea Bodiford added 11 points with three 3-pointers. Rechis finished with nine points on three 3-pointers. Ten Lady Bulldog players scored in the game. Union shot 58 percent from the field, 68 percent (14-21) from long range, and 78 percent (25-32) from the free throw line.
 
North Alabama was led by Jennifer Towne with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Jessica Brown added 18 points, while Jaclyn Heath scored 14 and Mekena Randle added 11 points. The Lions shot 46 percent from the field, 29 percent (9-31) from long range and 59 percent (13-22) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be a pair of road games to close out the regular season. Union travels to Alabama Huntsville Saturday and then Christian Brothers next Thursday. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
 
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