JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women's basketball advanced to the next round of the 2015 NCAA DII Women's Basketball National Tournament South Region Friday with a 92-83 win over Albany State (Ga) University. Union improved to 27-3, while Albany State ended their season 19-10.
 
Union will play in the semifinals Saturday of the region round versus the winner of West Florida and Benedict College. Union, ranked No. 12 in the nation, has now advanced as one of the final 32 teams in the national tournament.
 
Top-seeded Union got three double-doubles from Amy Philamlee, Kelsey Risner and DeAnna Thompson to lead the way as Union scored their fourth highest point total of the season. Philamlee posted a game-high 34 points and 14 assists. Risner scored a career-high 27 points and added 11 rebounds. Thompson scored 12 points and had 11 rebounds.
 
Union led for most of the first half, with Albany State getting three short-lived leads. Union led by as many as six points several times, while a 29-25 lead for Albany State was their biggest lead. Union looked to be heading into the locker room up by six points, but a buzzer beater 3-pointer from Albany State's Mecca Frost cut the lead to 46-43 at the break.
 
Union opened the second half with one of Risner's seven 3-pointers to go back up by six points.  Union extended their lead to eight points but Albany State was ready with a rally. The Golden Rams tied the game at 69-69 with 8:22 left following a 3-point play from Artisha Holston. Albany State got a stop and scored on a layup from Wilson to take a 71-69 lead with 7:58 left in the game.
 
The Lady Bulldogs responded with a 9-2 run capped by a 3-ponter from Amber Rechis to put Union back in control. Union extended their lead to as many as 11 points in the final minute of play before taking the 92-83 final. Union was 6-for-6 in the final minute of play from the free throw line.
 
Union shot 46 percent from the field, 33 percent (10-30) from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free throw line (22-26).
 
Albany State was led by Holston with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Mecca Frost added 13 points, Ieshia Young and Kyasha Wilson added 11 points each, while Zuri Frost scored 10 points. The Golden Rams shot 43 percent from the field, 35 percent (6-17) from 3-point range and 68 percent (19-28) from the free throw line.
 
#UNION#