MELBORNE, Fla. - The Union University men's basketball team posted a 69-59 win over North Greenville University Friday afternoon at the Florida Tech Thanksgiving Classic. Union improved to 4-1 on the season, while North Greenville dropped to 3-3.

North Greenville scored first just over one minute into the game with a 3-pointer and then extended their lead to 10-1 after a dunk by at the 13:49 mark of the first half. A free throw from Union freshman Tevin Florent was the only point for the Bulldogs in the first six and a half minutes. Union's first field goal of the game was a 3-pointer from reigning GSC Freshman of the Week, Tyree Boykin, at the 13:20 mark of the first half. That basket sparked a 15-0 run for Union, giving the Bulldogs a 16-10 lead with 7:30 left in the first half. Union led by as many as eight points in the first half, 26-18, with 2:07 left. However, North Greenville outscored Union 9-3 over the final two minutes to cut their deficit to just two points 29-27 at the break. The last 54 seconds featured two 3-pointers from North Greenville and one from Union's Nick Velasquez. 

North Greenville continued their run from the end of the first half and regained the lead with a 3-pointer to open play in the second half, going up 30-29. But again it was Union's Velasquez to answer with another three pointer to give Union the lead again, 32-30. North Greenville led one final time in the game, 34-33 with 16:48 left to play. Union took the lead for good on another 3-pointer, this time from Boykin. Union held their largest lead of the game, 55-44, with 7:54 left to play following another 3-pointer from Velasquez. North Greenville made one final run at the Bulldogs, getting as close at three points, 59-56 with 3:30 left to play. But Union got a 3-pointer from Boykin that put Union back in control and the Bulldogs extended their lead back to double figures with the 69-59 final. 

Union was led by Boykin with 20 points including 6-of-7 from 3-point range. KC Goodwin added 14 points and seven assists. Pedro Da Silva added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Velasquez finished with 11 points and three 3-pointers. Union shot 40 percent from the field, 44 percent (12-27) from long range, and 58 percent (11-19) from the free throw line. Union out rebounded North Greenville 41-30, including 11-8 offensively. 

North Greenville was led by Tommy Wade with 14 points. Daniel Burchette, Matt Moore, and Roderick Howell each added 11 points. North Greenville shot 38 percent from the field, 36 percent (8-22) from long range, and 43 percent (3-7) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be the winner's bracket game Saturday at 4:30 p.m. central time versus the winner of Florida Tech and Puerto Rico-Bayamon. 

-UNION-