JACKSON, Tenn. – The No. 17 Union University Lady Bulldog basketball team defeated the University of North Alabama Lions Monday night, 79-55. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 14-2 on the season and 8-2 in the Gulf South Conference play. North Alabama dropped to 2-13 on the season and 1-9 in league play.
In the first quarter, Union and North Alabama were tied three times in the first four minutes. Tied 7-7, the Lady Bulldogs started to pull away getting ahead by seven points thanks to a layup and 3-pointer by
Bethany Lytle and layup by
Carnecia Williams. With one minute remaining in the quarter, the Lions Savannah Stults shot a three pointer bringing UNA within three points, 17-14.
North Alabama came back to tie the game 18-18 with 9:22 left in the second quarter. The rest of the quarter, the Lady Bulldogs found their stride, slowly pulling away. Union lead by as many as 15 points at one point. Going into the second half, the Lady Bulldogs led the Lions 39-27.
Union continued their control the game in the third quarter, leading by at least eight points all quarter. With three seconds left,
Jada Perkins made two free throws to push the score to 58-43.
In the fourth quarter continued to put distance between them and the Lions. With 38 seconds left in the game, the Lady Bulldogs had its largest lead of 26 points, 79-53, with a jumper by
Jada Smith. North Alabama added a late jumper to their score, bringing the final total to 79-55.
Union's bench outscored UNA's 30-6 to help the Lady Bulldogs to the home victory. Overall,
Tiara Caldwell led the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points and 11 total rebounds getting her fifth double-double of the season. Alexus Patterson led North Alabama with 19 points with one assist.
Union shot 68.8% (11-16) from the free throw line, 47.6% (10-21) from long range, and 42.0% (29-69) from the field. The Lions shot 40.0% from the field, 63.2% from the free throw line, and 20.0% from 3-point range.
Up next for Union, the Lady Bulldogs start a three game road trip starting January 14 against Christian Brother University. Game time is at 5 p.m. Listen at 93.1 FM or online at
www.uuathletics.com/liive.
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