JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted an 80-73 win over Valdosta State University Tuesday night in the Gulf South Conference Quarterfinals. Union improved to 20-9 on the season, while Valdosta State dropped to 17-11 overall. 

Union's Roy Bullock got things started for the Bulldogs with a layup after both teams went scoreless for the first two minutes of play. Valdosta State answered with a 3-pointer from Chris Bilbo to take the lead. The two teams went back and forth for the next few possessions with Union moving out to a 10-8 lead. Valdosta State then posted an 8-0 run to go up 16-10 with 12:26 left in the half. Union stopped the run with a basket from Jordan Montgomery but two straight turnovers led to a 5-0 run for the Blazers, extending their lead to 21-12 with 10:18 left in the half. Justice and the Blazers kept pressing, hitting back-to-back baskets to give his team a 12 point lead, 30-18 with five minutes left. Union responded with a 7-0 run capped by a 3-pointer from Roy Bullock with 2:39 left in the half, cutting the VSU lead to just five, 30-25. After a couple of Blazer free throws, Union got back-to-back layups from Montgomery and KC Goodwin to cut the deficit to 32-29 with 1:27 left in the half. Both teams added a bucket in the final 1:11 to set the halftime score at 34-31 in favor of Valdosta State. 

The Blazers shot 56 percent from the field in the first half and 44 percent from long range (4-9). Union was at 46 percent form the field and 30 percent (3-10) from behind the arc. Both teams had 13 rebounds in the half. 

After both teams got buckets on their first possessions of the second half, Union's Ashanti Day drained a 3-pointer to tie the game at 36-36. Valdosta State answered with a 7-0 run to got back up by seven points, 43-36, with 15:35 left in the game. Montgomery stopped the run with a 3-point play to keep his Bulldogs close. With 13:30 left to play, a layup from Bullock cut the Union deficit to just two points, 45-43. After VSU went back up by six points, Union again cut deficit back to two points, 52-50, with 10:03 left on back-to-back layups from Serigne Mboup and Day. The teams swapped free throws, then swapped 3-pointers and Union still trailed by two, 57-55 with 8:40 left in the game. Union tied the game moments later when Montgomery finished a fast break to set the score at 59-59. Valdosta State answered with a 3-pointer from Bilbo to regain the lead. 

Union got two stops on defense and took the first lead of the half when Felipe Rocha hit a pair of free throws to put Union up 63-62 with 4:30 left. It was the first lead for Union since they led 10-9 early in the game. Another defensive stop for Union set up another free throw situation for the Bulldogs. Montgomery extended Union's lead to 65-62 with both free throws. After both teams scored on their next two possessions, Union still led by three, 69-66, with 2:40 left in the game. After Valdosta State hit one of two free throws, Bullock found Montgomery on a back door pass and Union led 71-67 with 1:52 left. Two more free throws from the Blazers cut Union's lead down to two points, 71-69 with 1:32 left. Both teams came up empty on fast break possessions. Union's Mboup was fouled on a rebound with one minute left on the clock. Mboup hit one of two free throws to give Union a 72-69 lead. The Blazers scored on a layup from Josh Lemmons to get to within one point. Union's Goodwin was fouled with 26 seconds left and sent to the line. Goodwin hit both and Union led 74-71. Valdosta State's pass was intercepted by Union and Day was sent to the line. Day hit both free throws and Union's lead was now 76-71 with 19 seconds left. Another VSU turnover gave the ball back to the Bulldogs. Union's Bullock continued the clutch free throw shooting for Union down the stretch to seal the win. After his two, Union led 78-71 with 12 seconds left. Union got two more free throws form day and a layup at the buzzer by VSU set the final at 80-73.

Union closed the game by scored eight of the last 10 points. Union was 21-of-22 from the free throw line in the second half, 9-of-10 in the final minute of the game.

Union played just seven players in the game, led by three guys with at least 20 points. Montgomery led the way with 23 points, followed by Bullock with 22 points and Day with 20 points. Day got his 18th double-double of the season with 11 points. Union shot 49 percent form the field, 31 percent (5-16) from long range and 87 percent (27-31) from the free throw line.

Valdosta State was led by Justice with 22 points. Bilbo added 15 points and Muhammad added 12 points. The Blazers shot 49 percent from the field, 50 percent (8-16) from 3-point range and 68 percent, 13-of-19 from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be a semifinal game, Friday, March 4 in Birmingham, Ala. versus No. 2 seed West Georgia at 5:00 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.

-UNION-