JACKSON, Tenn. - The fourteenth ranked Union University women's basketball team posted a 69-46 win over Valdosta State University Monday night. Union improved to 12-2 on the season and 6-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Valdosta State dropped to 6-7 overall and 2-6 in league play.
After a fast start from Valdosta State, Union rallied to lead 31-27 at the half. Union allowed just 19 total points to the Blazers in the second half on their way to the 23-point win.
Union junior guard Chelsea Bodiford opened the game with eight straight points, but a trio of 3-pointers from Valdosta State had Union trailing 9-8 after two minutes of play. Union's Kelsey Risner connected on Union's third 3-pointer of the game to put the Lady Bulldogs back on top, 11-9 with 6:40 left in the 1st quarter. After the furious start, both teams cooled off which Union taking a 17-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Valdosta State opened the second quarter with three straight 3-pointers to surge ahead 24-17. Union finally got on the board in the second quarter with a 3-pointer from Jada Smith to stop the 9-0 run by Valdosta State. However, Valdosta State hit their seventh 3-pointer of the game on the next possession to lead 27-20 with six minutes left in the half. Union slowly chipped away and following a 3-pointer from freshman Tiffany Rechis, Union tied the game at 27-27 with a minute left. Union hit a second straight 3-pointer as Risner connected to give Union a 30-27 lead in 30 seconds left. Union's Bethany Lytle hit one of two free throws to close out the half with Union on a an 11-0 run. After scoring 12 points in the first 2:15 of the second quarter, Valdosta State went scoreless for the last 6:45 of the half.
Union continued their run in the second half when Jackson native Jada Perkins converted a steal into a fast-break layup. Valdosta State stopped Union's run at 15-0, scoring their first points in almost eight minutes of clock time. Union extended their lead to double figures for the first time in the game when Perkins put back an offensive rebound, giving Union a 39-29 lead with 6:18 left in the third quarter. Perkins continued her personal run as she scored seven straight points capped by a 3-pointer, putting Union up 42-29 at the mid-quarter media timeout. Risner hit her third and fourth 3-pointers of the game in the final minute of the quarter to give Union their largest lead of the game so far, 53-36.
In the fourth quarter, Union pushed their lead to 20 points, 60-40 following a 3-pointer from Smith. Union's biggest lead of the game was the 23-point final, 69-46.
Union was led by by Bodiford with 13 points including three 3-pointers. Smith, Risner and Tiara Caldwell each added 12 points. Risner and Caldwell both recorded double-doubles with 10 and 11 rebounds respectively. Perkins finished with nine points and a game-high five assists. Union shot 48 percent from the field, 49 percent (11-23) from long range and 29 percent (2-7) from the free throw line.
Valdosta State was led by Madi Mitchell and Lydia Harvey with a game-highs of 15 points and eight combined three pointers. The Blazers shot 31 percent from the field, 31 percent (10-32) from 3-point range and 57 percent (4-7) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be a road game at Alabama Huntsville, Saturday, January 9 at 2 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
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