JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted a 74-71 win over Valdosta State University Monday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 11-3 on the season and 5-3 in the Gulf South Conference. Valdosta State dropped to 9-4 overall and 5-3 in league play.
The first basket of the game did not come until Union's Serigne Mboup scored a layup at the 18:18 mark of the first half. Marterrace Brock then drove the lane for a dunk to put Union up 4-0. The offenses continued to struggle as the game was tied 7-7 over seven minutes into play. At the second media timeout with 11:54 left, the score was just 9-9. As the clock clicked under 10 minutes left in the half, Valdosta State took a brief 11-9 lead. However, Union's Jordan Montgomery drained a fast break 3-pointer, giving Union the 12-11 advantage with 9:56 left in the half. Montgomery continued his person run, scoring the next four points for the Bulldogs. By the final media timeout of the first half, Union had extended their lead to 20-14 with 3:53 left. Valdosta State finished the half outscoring Union 11-7 over the final four minutes of play, including a 3-pointer from Tyler Martin at the buzzer to set the halftime score at 27-25 in favor of Union.
Union got their first half shooting up to 40 percent, but were just 1-of-11 (11%) from long range. Valdosta finished at 32 percent from the field and 17 percent (2-12) from 3-point range.
Valdosta State continued their run, tying the game at 27-27 on their first possession of the second half. Union then responded with a 17-6 run over the next two and a half minutes to push out to a 44-33 lead at the under 16 minute media timeout. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Roy Bullock and Brennan Bowling capped the run.
Union could not hold the lead. Over the next 10 minutes, Valdosta State outscored Union 27-12 to take a 60-56 lead with 6:49 left.
Union cut their deficit down to one, 64-63, following a layup from Brock, but a 3-pointer on the other end put the Blazers back up by four, 67-63. Union failed to score on their next possession and Valdosta State hit a pair of free throws to extend their lead to 69-63 with 3:09 left in the game.
Union then got a much needed make when Bowling drained a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to just three points with 2:43 left. Union's Mboup blocked a layup attempt on the defensive end, giving Union the ball back. Union's Montgomery then sank one of two free throws to put the score at 69-67 VSU with 1:57 left in the game.
After a couple of empty possessions for both teams, Union's Brock drove to the basket, made the shot to tie the game, getting fouled in the process. His free throw put Union up 70-69 with 47 seconds left. A second straight turnover by Valdosta State put the ball back in Union's hands. Quickly fouled, Union's Bullock stepped to the line, hitting both free throws to give the Bulldogs a 72-69 lead with 30 seconds left. Valdosta State missed on a running jumper in the lane and Union's Day grabbed the rebound. Day then hit one of two free throws to give Union a 73-69 lead with 20 seconds left. VSU drove the length of the floor and converted a layup, cutting the deficit to 73-71 with 12 seconds left. After a VSU timeout, Union got the ball into the hands of Brock who was quickly fouled. Brock hit one of two free throws, giving Union a 3-point lead with nine seconds left. VSU's final 3-point attempt to tie the game was off. Union got the rebound and the 74-71 win.
Union was led by Brock with 27 points and was 11-of-13 at the free throw line for the Bulldogs. Mboup and Montgomery added 11 points each, while Day posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Bullock led with five assists. Union shot 46 percent from the field, 37 percent (7-19) from 3-point range and 70 percent (21-30) from the free throw line.
Valdosta State was led by Chris Longoria with 19 points including three 3-pointers. Saadiq Muhammad and Blake Justice added 10 points each. The Blazers shot 43 percent from the field, 24 percent from (5-21) from long range and 62 percent (16-26) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be a road game at Alabama Huntsville Saturday at 4 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
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