FLORENCE, Ala. – The Union University men's basketball team posted an 87-73 win over the University of North Alabama Thursday night. Union improved to 18-8 on the season and 12-8 in the Gulf South Conference. North Alabama dropped to 15-11 overall and 12-8 in league play.
Union's 14 made 3-pointers in the game matched the second highest total of the season and most in a GSC game this year. Union hit 16 long range shots in a win over Central Baptist and then 14 in a win over Brewton Barker.
The win kept Union in the running for one of the top-4 seeds and a first round home game in the Gulf South Conference Tournament March 1. Union, North Alabama, Delta State and Valdosta State are all tied for third with 12-8 league records.
Union scored first on a layup fro
Marterrace Brock, but it was North Alabama with the hot hand early. UNA jumped out to a 13-5 lead with 12:28 left in the first half. Union's
Jordan Montgomery stopped the UNA momentum with a 3-pointer. North Alabama led by seven, 20-13 with 9:34 left in the half.
Ashanti Day hit one of his three first half 3-pointers to spark a 9-0 run by Union.
Brennan Bowling hit a 3-pointer in the run while Brock capped it with a 3-point play. Union took the lead for good, 23-22 with 6:29 left in the first half and led 41-35 at the break.
In the second half, Day's fourth 3-pointer of the game with 16:44 left to play not only put Union up by double digits, 50-39, but also put Day at exactly 1,000 career points. He needed 12 points to reach the milestone coming into the game. He joined teammates
Roy Bullock and
Marterrace Brock as Bulldogs to reach the 1,000 point milestone this season.
North Alabama responded and pulled to within two points, 50-48, with 13:26 left in the game. However, a free throw from Brock and another 3-pointer from Bowling sparked Union's offense. The Bulldogs quickly pushed their lead back to double figures for good, 58-48. Union led by as many as many as 18 points several times down the stretch before taking the 87-73 final.
Five players scored in double figures for Union led by Brock with 18 points. Day finished with 17, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range. Montgomery added 14 points, Bullock scored 12 and
Serigne Mboup finished with 10 points. Union shot 42 percent from the field, 44 percent (14-32) from 3-point range and 74 percent (17-23) from the charity stripe.
North Alabama was led by Dimario Jackson with a game-high 20 points. Austin Tims and John Fletcher added 16 points each, while Bilal Richardson posted a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds. The Lions shot 44 percent from the field, 39 percent (9-23) from long range and 80 percent (12-15) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be a home game versus regular season champion and top seed for the conference tournament, Alabama Huntsville. Gametime is Saturday at 4 p.m.
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