JACKSON, Tenn. – The No. 11 Union University women's basketball team posted an 84-70 over the University of Alabama in Huntsville Saturday afternoon. Union improved to 25-2 on the season and 19-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Alabama Huntsville dropped to 14-11 overall and 11-10 in league play.
 
Union pushed their winning streak to a season best 14 games. The 14-game winning streak is also the best for Union since joining NCAA DII and the GSC in 2012. This also marks the ninth in the past 21 years that Union has been 25-2 after 27 total games.
 
Union, having already clinched the GSC regular season crown and top seed in the tournament for the second year in a row, is playing to keep their No. 1 region ranking in hopes of hosting their second straight NCAA Region Tournament in mid-March.
 
UAH opened the game with the first of 14 3-pointers in the contest. The Chargers led 7-1 early and held their largest lead of 13-5 after five minutes of play. Union then responded with an 11-0 run to lead 16-13 with 32 seconds left in the first quarter. After another UAH 3-pointer, Union's Tiara Caldwell hit a free throw to give union a 17-16 lead after the first quarter. Union opened the second quarter with a 14-5 run to extend their lead to 10 points. However, by halftime, Alabama Huntsville had cut their deficit to 42-38. Union led by as many as 11 twice in the first half.
 
Alabama Huntsville tied the game twice early in the third quarter, 44-44 and again 46-46. Union then posted a 10-2 run to regain control. Union pushed their lead back to double figures, 67-57, with 7:10 left in the game. UAH rallied back one last time to get with three points, 67-64 with 5:08 left, but could not get any closer. Union pushed their lead back up to double figures and held their largest lead of the game with the 84-70 final.
 
Union was led by Caldwell with 27 points and nine rebounds, including an 11-for-13 night from the field. Jada Smith added 26 points and Jada Perkins scored 11 points with eight rebounds and five assists. Union shot 52 percent from the field in the game, 26 percent (5-19) from 3-poing range and 64 percent (21-33) from the free throw line.
 
Alabama Huntsville was led by Caroline Dodd with 17 points. Baylee Johnson added 16 points, Dina Saunders scored 15 and Josi Saunders recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Chargers shot 46 percent from the field, 48 percent (14-29) from long range and 67 percent (4-6) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be the final regular season game of the year when Christian Brothers comes to Union, Thursday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m. Union will also host the #8 seed in the quarterfinals at Union, March 1 at 6 p.m.
 
-UNION-