BIRMINGHAM, Alabama- The Union University women's basketball team lost Gulf South Tournament championship game to Delta State, 69-63, in overtime. The Lady Bulldogs move to 28-3 on the season, the loss snaps a 17 game win streak.
Union's
Kelsey Risner and
Jada Smith were both named to the GSC All-Tournament team for their efforts this week.
Delta State opened up the game scoring the first five points with GSC Player of the Year, Chelsea Rhodes knocking down a three followed by a jumper from Becca Ruckes. The Lady Bulldogs then went on a six point run of their own including a three from
Kelsey Risner. Both teams traded the lead and were tied when the Lady Statesmen hit back-to-back threes and jumper that put them up 17-11with 2:01 left in the first quarter. Union answered the offensive outburst with one of their own finishing the quarter with a 8-0 run to lead 19-17 at the end of the first quarter. Neither team took control of the second quarter which had four lead changes with neither team leading by more than two points until Rhodes knocked down a jumper at the buzzer to put DSU up by four 31-27 at halftime.
Headed to the third quarter, Delta State took the momentum and built a seven point lead 40-37 with just under six minutes remaining.
Jada Smith converted the free throw on an and-one play to cut the lead to four. Delta State maintained their lead to the end of the third but
Jada Smith hit a jumper to set the score 46-41 with Delta State in the lead.
Tiara Caldwell opened up the fourth quarter with three baskets for Union and a jumper from
Jada Perkins put Union within one of DSU, 50-49, with 7:27 left. The Lady Bulldogs took the lead with 3:57 left when
Jada Perkins knocked down a a three to make the score 54-52.
With game tied at 57-57 with only 21 seconds left DSU's Alondrea Rush drew a foul and sunk two free throws to give the Lady Statesmen the two point advantage. On the ensuing possession
Tiara Caldwell hit a fadeaway jumper to tie the game back up at 59-59 with 11 seconds on the clock. Delta State brought the ball back down the court and
Jada Perkins drew a a foul on the charge from Rhodes to give Union possession and send the game to overtime.
The overtime period had Delta State putting the first four points on the board to take the 63-59 lead with 2:43 left. Over the next two minutes both teams combined for six missed shots. With 43 seconds left, Chelsey Rhodes came up with a steal for DSU and a fastbreak layup that put her team up by six points. Delta State then added four more points on free throws in the final seconds. Despite a three from
Chelsea Bodiford at the buzzer, Delta State had built up to much of a lead and set the final at 69-63.
Union had three players in double digits with
Jada Smith leading the team with 15 points.
Tiara Caldwell and
Jada Perkins each had 14 points and seven rebounds in the game. The Lady Bulldogs shot 35% for the game, but 53% from behind the arc.
Union waits for tomorrow night Division II Women's Basketball Selection Show to to find out if they will host the South Reigon Tournament next weekend for the second straight year. Currently the Lady Bulldogs are ranked first in the region standings.
-UNION-