JACKSON, Tenn.. – The Union University women's basketball team posted a 59-56 win over Delta State University Thursday evening at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union led by as many as 23 points in the at the end of the third quarter, but had to hold off a fierce Lady Statesmen rally to earn the win.
GAME DETAILS
Final: Union 59 | Delta State 56
Records: Union 14-11, 9-10 GSC | Delta State 11-13, 8-11 GSC
Location: Fred DeLay Gymnasium - Jackson, Tenn.
Series: Delta State leads 8-5
Social: @UUAthletics | #WeAreUU | UUAthletics.com
WHAT HAPPENED
Delta State scored the first four points of the game, but Union responded with 11 straight to lead 11-4. After a basket by the Lady Statesmen, Union scored seven straight and led 18-6, one minute into the second quarter. Union continued to build their lead and with 7:25 left in the half, led 25-8.
Delta State answered with a 10-1 run to close out the half, trailing 26-17 at the half. Neither team scored in the final 1:39 of the first half.
The Lady Statesmen continued they run from the first half with four straight points to open the third quarter, making their overall run 13-1. Union led just 26-21 with 8:14 left in the third quarter.
Union again pulled away with a 14-0 run including 3-pointers from Chelsea Bodiford, Astrid Huttemann and Tiffany Rechis. DSU stopped Union's streak of 14 straight with a basket, but Union continued with six in a row, including a 4-point play from Rechis after being fouled on a 3-pointer. Jada Perkins added two free throws to give Union their largest lead of the game, 46-23, with 1:04 left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter belonged to Delta State as they stormed back into the game. DSU outscored Union 33-13 in the final quarter and after a 3-pointer from Alondrea Rush with three seconds left, had cut the Union lead down to just one point. Union's Perkins sank two free throws with two seconds left to give Union the three point lead. Union stole the DSU inbounds pass but was called for a walk with .4 seconds left. DSU however committed a second straight turnover, not getting a shot in the final seconds.
Union and Delta State split the the season series with the Lady Statesmen taking the Dec. 31 meeting 51-41.
STAT OF THE GAME
Union scored 37 points combined in the first and third quarters, but just 22 in the second and fourth quarters. Delta State managed 33 fourth quarter points, after scoring just 23 points in the three previous quarters.
TEAM STATS
Union shot 44 percent from the field, 42 percent (8-19) from 3-point range and 73 percent (11-15) from the free throw line.
Delta State shot 40 percent from the field, 40 percent (2-5) from long range and 86 percent (12-14) from the free throw line.
Delta State out rebounded Union 33-28 in the game, including 7-2 on the offensive glass. Union committed 13 turnovers to 10 from the Lady Statesmen.
PLAYER STATS
Union was led by Tiffany Rechis and Jada Perkins with 13 points each. Rechis was 4-of-7 from long range. Chelsea Bodiford was 3-of-7 from 3-point range to give her nine points. Jada Smith added nine points. Union's post play was held scoreless tonight, going 0-for-4 with no points.
Delta State was led by Gilbert with 15 points, Rush with 12 points and Jackson with 10 points.
UP NEXT
Union hits the road for their final road game of the regular season Saturday at Mississippi College. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
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