JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team defeated the University of West Alabama 59-56 Saturday at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 17-6 on the season and 11-6 in the Gulf South Conference. West Alabama dropped to 11-12 overall and 7-10 in league play.
 
With the win, Union moved to 11-0 at home this season.
 
West Alabama opened the game with a dunk from Dakar Mayo and added a another layup to lead 4-0. The Tigers extended their lead to 8-2 before Union rallied back. Union kept it close and with 7:26 left in the half, took their first lead of the game 18-17 on a layup from Marterrace Brock. Union led by as many as three points in the first half before West Alabama regained the 24-23 halftime lead.
 
West Alabama opened the second half just like the first with a dunk from Mayo. The Tigers maintained a slim lead until Union tied the game 32-32 with 16:39 left to play. Jake Jobling put UWA up by three 35-32. After a three minute scoring drought for both teams, Union's Roy Bullock tied the game again 35-35 with 13:12 left. That 3-pointer from Bullock sparked a 18-5 run for Union as they pushed their lead to 10 points, 50-40 with 6:35 left. The Tigers were not finished as they cut their deficit to just four points, 56-52, with 2:07 left. Union's Ashanti Day stopped the West Alabama run with a 3-point play to put Union back up by seven points with one minute to play. After West Alabama cut the Union lead to five points, 59-54, with 42 second left, the Tigers decided not to foul. Union missed on their shot with 16 seconds left. The Tigers got the rebound but could not score quickly. Union missed on a free throw with six seconds left and West Alabama drove the floor a layup as time expired to set the final at 59-56.
 
Union was led by Brock with 19 points. Serigne Mboup added a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Bullock added 10 points and Jordan Montgomery added 10 rebounds. Union shot 36 percent from the field, 19 percent (3-16) from 3-point range and 80 percent (8-10) from the free throw line.
 
West Alabama was led by Simeon Dennis with 13 points. Acie Vance scored 12 and Mayo added 10 points. The Tigers shot 38 percent from the field, 31 percent (5-16) from long range and 70 percent (7-10) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union is the first of three straight road games, Thursday at Valdosta State (Ga.) at 7 p.m. central time. Listen at 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
 
-UNION-