CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The No. 16 Union University women's basketball team posted a 73-71 overtime win at Lee University. Union improved to 16-2 on the season and 10-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee dropped to 12-5 on the season and 9-3 in league play.
 
The game was battle of two of the three teams tied for first place in the GSC standings. Union now sits in a two-way tie for first place with Delta State (Miss.).
 
Union led 60-57 with 19 seconds left in regulation. A 3-pointer from Lee's Haris Price sent the game to overtime.
 
In overtime, Union set the tone early with seven straight points over the first minute of play, including a 3-pointer from Kelsey Risner. Lee cut the deficit to just one point, 72-71, with one minute left to play. In the final minute, Union made just 1-of-4 free throws but survived a pair of missed shots from Lee to hang on for the 73-71 win. Union's Chelsea Bodiford blocked the final 3-point attempt by Lee for the possible game-saving block.
 
Lee opened the game with the first bucket, but Union rolled off seven straight points. Union maintained the lead and led 15-11 at the end of the first quarter.
 
In the second quarter, Lee opened with an 8-0 run to lead 19-15 with 7:20 left in the half. Union rallied back and tied the game three times, including 27-27 with 2:09 left in the half. Lee scored on a layup with four seconds left to lead 33-30 at the half.
 
Lee maintained the lead for the entire third quarter, leading by as many as five points twice during the quarter. Lee led 47-44 at the end of three quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, Union's Bodiford tied the game with a 3-pointer one minute into play in the fourth quarter, 47-47. Union held the lead for the rest of the quarter until the tying 3-pointer from Lee in the final seconds.
 
The bench for Union had scored at least 25 points in each of the last three games. However, tonight, the bench added six points as the starters shouldered the load. Lee outrebounded Union 45-33 but Union's defense forced Lee into 18 turnovers.
 
Union was led by freshman guard Jada Perkins with 18 points. She added five rebounds and five assists in her 40 minutes of play in the game. Tiara Caldwell scored 17 points with six rebounds, while Jada Smith scored 15 points with seven assists. Risner added nine points and seven rebounds, while Bodiford added eight points with three blocks. Union shot 42 percent from the field, 41 percent (7-17) from 3-point range and just 54 percent (14-26) from the free throw line.
 
Lee was led by Erin Walsh with 27 points. Christina Johnson added 10 points and 18 rebounds, while Shelby Brown scored 10 points. The Lady Flames shot 35 percent from the field, 39 percent (10-26) from long range and 85 percent (17-20).
 
Up next for Union will be another tough road game at Shorter (Ga.) Saturday at 1 p.m. central time. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
 
#UNION#