JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University Lady Bulldogs basketball team took down the University of North Alabama Lions, 75-63. Tonight's win clinched a spot in the Gulf South Conference tournament for the Lady Bulldogs.
GAME DETAILS
Final: Union 75 | North Alabama 63
Records: Union 16-11, 11-10 | North Alabama 18-9, 12-9
Location: Fred DeLay Gymnasium – Jackson, Tenn.
Series: Union leads 13-2
Social: @UUAthletics | #WeAreUU | UUAthletics.com
WHAT HAPPENED
- Union got on the board first with 3-pointer from Tiffany Rechis to lead 3-0. North Alabama would respond with a layup and three, both by the Lion's KeKe Gunter to take a 5-3 lead. The Lady Bulldogs and UNA traded threes to bring the score to 8-6 in favor of North Alabama. Union would tie the score 8-8 on a jumper from Jada Smith, but Ivy Wallen hit a three to give the Lions the lead again. Sara Lytle put the Lady Bulldogs back on top with a jumper and three to give Union a 13-11 lead. Union held a three-point lead, 20-17 late in the first quarter, but UNA pulled off a 7-0 run to give North Alabama the 24-20 lead.
- North Alabama scored first in the second quarter to continue their run and take a 26-20 lead. Rechis would break up the momentum with a three pointer to cut the lead to 26-23. UNA would hold a seven point lead with 6:30 left in the quarter when a six point run would bring the Lady Bulldogs within one of the Lions, 32-31. By the end of the quarter, North Alabama held the slight a slight lead, 39-35.
- At the half, Lytle led all scorers with 11 points followed by Bria Gaines with eight points. UNA was led by Gunter with 10 points. Union shot 52 percent from the field and 71 percent (5-for-7) from 3-point range. North Alabama shot 41 percent from short range, 42 percent (8-for-19) from long range, and 83 percent (5-for-6) from the free throw line.
- The Lady bulldogs came back from half time with some fire. Union started the third quarter with a 13-0 unanswered run to take a nine-point lead, 48-39. A couple of free throws by North Alabama broke up the run to cut Union's lead to 48-41. The Lions would score again on a three by Gunter to trail 48-44. Lytle would break up the momentum with a layup. Lytle was also fouled on the shot and would make the extra point to extend the Lady Bulldog lead to 51-44. Union would hold on to the lead, 55-49, at the end of the third quarter.
- North Alabama went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter to get within one of the Lady Bulldogs, 55-54. Union was able to break up the run with a jumper by Jada Perkins, but the Lions would take the lead after scoring five straight, 59-57. The Lady Bulldogs would take back the lead, 66-59, thanks to a 9-0 run. North Alabama scored two more, but Union would score four points, 70-61, all on free throws from Lytle with 2:58 left in the game. Union would extend their lead to 12 points, 75-63, scoring five straight, and it would be enough to hold on for the win by that score.
STAT OF THE GAME
Union outscored North Alabama 20-10 in the third quarter and 20-14 in the fourth quarter to come from behind to earn the victory.
TEAM STATS
- Union shot 50 percent from the field, 46 percent (6-for-13) from long range, and 87 percent (13-for-15) from the free throw line.
- North Alabama shot 36 percent from short range, 38 percent (11-for-29) from behind the arc, and 86 percent (12-for-14) from the foul line.
- Union outscored UNA 32-14 win points in the paint.
PLAYER STATS
- Sara Lytle led all scorers with 26 points which also reaches a new career high for the junior. Astrid Huttemann pulled down 12 rebounds to help Union to the win.
- North Alabama was led by KeKe Gunter with 22 points while Michaela DeKilder had 12 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Union will host their final regular season GSC game against the University of Alabama Huntsville Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs will also honor the seniors during the game. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
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