JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted a 51-48 victory over Delta State (Miss.) University Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 14-6 on the season and 8-6 in the Gulf South Conference. Delta State dropped to 11-7 overall and 8-6 in league play. 

The win put Union into a 3-way tie for fourth place in the GSC race with eight games left in the regular season. 

Brennan Bowling got things started with a 3-pointer to put Union up early. After a Delta State basket, Union's Jordan Montgomery and Roy Bullock each followed with a 3-pointer to give Union a 9-2 lead after five minutes of play. Delta State rallied back and with the help of a 7-0 run, tied the game 15-15 with 7:57 left in the half. Union never gave up the lead in the first half. Despite a Bullock shot from three-quarter court rimming out at the buzzer, Union had a 26-21 lead at the break. 

Union made four three pointers in the first half, with three of those coming in the first five minutes. Neither team shot well with both coming in under 34 percent for the half. 

Union's Ashanti Day scored four straight points for the Bulldogs to start the second half, pushing Union to their largest lead yet at 29-21. However, Delta State responded with nine straight points to take their first lead of the game 30-29 with 14:20 left in the game. Union's Marterrace Brock stopped the run with a basket, but Devin Schmidt answered with a 3-pointer on the other end to regain the lead for Delta State, 33-31. 

Down by three, Union tied the game with 11:24 left on a 3-pointer from Brock. Union took the lead on the next possession on a layup form Serigne Mboup with 10:49 left. A back and forth battle over the next six minutes produced a tied game, 44-44, with 5:51 left. Union's Brock hit one of two free throws to give Union the lead for good. His free throw sparked a 9-1 run for Union over the next four minutes that extended the Bulldog lead to 51-45 with 1:03 left. 

As the clock dipped into the final minute of play, Delta State's Brett Warner drained a 3-pointer to cut the Union lead down to 51-48 with 51 seconds left to play. Union worked the shot clock down, but missed on their attempt to extend their lead. Delta State got the rebounded and had one final chance to tie the game, but a steal by Brock sealed the win for Union. 

Union out rebounded Delta State 38-33. Both teams struggled to make shots, but protected the ball in the game, managing just a combined 11 turnovers (6 by DSU). 

Union was led by Brock with 16 points. Day added 11 points and 15 rebounds. Union shot 31 percent from the field, 21 percent (6-29) from 3-point range and 61 percent (11-18) from the free throw line. 

Delta State was led by Schmidt with 16 points and Warner with 15 points. The Statesmen shot 37 percent from the field, 36 percent (4-11) from long range and 75 percent (12-16) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union is the second of four straight home games when Mississippi College comes to "The Fred" Saturday at 4 p.m.

-UNION-