JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women's basketball faced Nova Southeastern (Fla.) University in the 2015 NCAA National Tournament South Region Title game, with Nova holding on for the 67-62 win. Union ended their season at 28-4, while Nova improved to 27-5 and will advance to the Elite Eight.
 
The game matched up the region top seed Union and the region second seed Nova. It was also a top-25 matchup with Union ranked No. 12 in the USA Today/WBCA National Poll and Nova siting at No. 18. In addition, it was a rematch game from early in the season when Union knocked off then No. 1 Nova in Ft. Lauderdale 83-78.
 
Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "Nova is a really good team and they did a great job of tipping some of our passes that we had been connecting on all year. I thought they made great plays down the stretch and we didn't. Both teams have improved so much defensively that this was a much different game that early in the year. The enthusiam was great tonight on the floor and in the stands."

Senior guard Amy Philamlee said, "I am so proud that this team was able to win the conference, the conference tournament, host the region and then advance to face a great Nova team in the region title game. This was my last game at Union, but I cannot wait for the next 10 years to see Union continue to make a name for itself in NCAA DII women's basketball."

The first half was just as expected with both team taking the best shots of the other. The first 20 minutes featured four ties and eight lead changes with Nova taking the advantage, 39-32 at the break.
 
The second half started with Nova continuing their run with back-to-back 3-pointers to start the half, extending their lead to the largest of the night at 13 points, 45-32.
 
However, neither Union nor the loud crowd mostly decked out in Union red gave up. The Lady Bulldogs got long range help from post player DeAnna Thompson who made back-to-back 3-pointer to get Union back to within seven points.
 
Nova kept the lead and pushed back up to 10 points two more times in the game, including the last time, 59-49, with 7:21 left to play. Union then answered with an 11-0 run capped by a pair of free throws from Amy Philamlee to regain the lead, 60-59, with 3:41 left. After an offensive foul on Nova, Union had an open 3-pointer from Amber Rechis that rimmed in and then back out, missing the opportunity to put Union up by four points. Instead, Nova took the rebounded and Monaye Merritt drained a 3-pointer on the other end to give the Sharks the lead. On the next possession, Union's Rechis hit two free throws to tie the game at 62-2 with 1:27 left to play. But again, Nova responded with a basket from Jessica Valley to give her team the lead for good, 64-62. Union committed a turnover on their next possession. After Jasmine Wilkins hit one of two free throws, Union had the ball with 29 seconds left, down by three point. However, a missed three pointer and the long rebound led to a game-sealing layup by Nova, winning 67-62.
 
"I'm really proud of this team and the way they competed all year. We've fought against not being very athletic all year. When you look at our team warming up and then look at the other team, what makes our team good is the things you cannot see," Campbell said. "This teams loves each other in ways that most teams don't."

Union was led by Philamlee with a game-high 17 points. Four other Union players reached double figures including Rechis with 13, Kelsey Risner and Jaclissa Haislip with 11 each, and Thompson with 10 points. Union shot 44 percent from the field, 39 percent (11-28) from long range and hit all seven free throws.
 
Nova was led by Jasmine Wilkins with 16 points. Jessica Valley added 13 points and Winter Rodriguez scored 12 points. The Sharks shot 46 percent from the field, 35 percent (8-23) from behind the arc and 70 percent (7-10) from the free throw line.
 
Despite the loss, Union senior guard Amy Philamlee was named the South Region Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She scored 86 points in the tournament, averaging 28.7 points per game in the three games. Joining Philamlee from Union on the all-tournament team was senior guard Kesley Risner. Nova's Danielle Robinson and Jasmine Wilkins, along with West Florida's Jasmine Wigfall filled out the all-tournament team.
 
#UNION#