BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Union University men's basketball team lost in overtime 77-75 to the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the semifinal game of the VisitSpaceCoast.com Gulf South Conference Tournament Friday evening. Fifth seeded Union dropped to 20-10 while the No. 1 seeded Chargers improved to 22-8 and moved on to the championship game of the tournament.
 
After two hard fought halves, Union and Alabama Huntsville ended regulation tied at 71-71. The Chargers struck first in the overtime period with a layup from Saxton Troy, but sophomore forward Felipe Rocha drew a foul and sank two free throws to tie the game at 73-73. After the Chargers put another point on the board Marterrace Brock drove the lane and drew a foul then hit both of his free throws to give the Bulldogs the one-point advantage. Chapman Taylor then hit a quick three on the turnaround to put the Chargers up 77-75 with 2:10 left in the period. The Bulldogs had three more chances to take the lead, but could not get the tying or winning shot to fall.
                                                                                                                                                               
Union and Alabama Huntsville exchanged the lead 16 times in the game with neither team having more than a six-point lead at any point of the game.
 
Union head coach David Niven commented on the team's performance so far this year saying, "They have competed, they have battled, they have already exceeded the expectations of everybody, except ourselves."
 
Brock led the game in scoring with 25 points while Ashanti Day had his eighth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Corieon Pearson also had 12 points while Pedro Faller had 10 points in the first half going 4-5 from the field. Union shot 47.5 percent from the field and 30.8 percent in threes for the game.
 
Alabama Huntsville had a balanced offensive performance with all nine players that entered the game scoring points. Ronnie Mack led the Chargers with 17 points while Justin Ward had 14 and Preston Herring had 13. UAH shot 48.2 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from behind the three-point line.
 
Union finds out if they continue their season in the NCAA Division II South Regional Sunday evening. The regional will take place March 14-16^th with the location being determined at the during the selection show.
 
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