FLORENCE, Ala. – The No. 11 Union University women's basketball team trailed at the half for the 10^th time this season, a new Union record, but rallied to defeat the University of North Alabama 80-67. Union improved to 24-2 on the season and 18-2 in the Gulf South Conference. North Alabama dropped to 5-20 overall and 4-16 in league play.
 
The win for Union clinched the outright GSC regular season title for Union, their second straight title.
 
Union scored their second most points in a quarter this season with 33 points in the third quarter to rally from a 33-28 halftime deficit. Union outscored UNA 33-21 in the third and 19-13 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win. Union shot a blistering 74 percent from the field in the second half, including 78 percent (7-of-9) from 3-point range.
 
North Alabama led 5-0 to start the game, before Union responded to take their first lead 11-10 with 4:51 left in the first quarter. UNA closed out the half with a 4-0 run.
 
Union was held scoreless from the 4:51 mark in the first quarter until the 7:52 mark in the second quarter, almost seven minutes of game time. UNA led by as many as seven points, 18-11 and again 27-20, in the second quarter before taking the 33-28 halftime lead.
 
In the third quarter, Union exploded out of the locker room with back to back 3-pointers from Chelsea Bodiford and Jada Perkins to regain the lead. The teams went back and forth until a layup from Tiara Caldwell with 1:41 left gave Union the lead for good. Union led 61-54 after three quarters. With just over three minutes left in the game, Union had extended their lead to double figures, 75-65. The 13-point final was the largest of the game for Union.
 
Union was led by Perkins with 23 points, just two points shy of her career high of 25 at Alabama Huntsville earlier this season. Perkins was 6-of-6 from the field and 10-of-13 from the free throw line. Caldwell also shot well, hitting 9-of-11 shots from the field for 18 points. Bodiford added 14 points with four 3-pointers, while Tiffany Rechis added 12 points, all from her four 3-pointers. Kelsey Risner added 11 rebounds and nine points. Perkins led with six assists. Union shot 49 percent from the field, 41 percent (9-22) from 3-point range and 68 percent (15-22) from the free throw line.
 
North Alabama was led by Katelyn Nunley with 18 points. KeKe Gunter and Jaclyn Heath added 14 each, while Janae Lyde added 11 points. The Lions shot 36 percent from the field, 38 percent (11-29) from long range and 71 percent (12-17) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be a home game, Saturday, Feb. 20 versus Alabama Huntsville at 2 p.m.
 
-UNION-