JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated the University of West Florida, 87-63, Saturday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union, ranked no. 19 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 8 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, improved 15-1 overall and 8-0 in the Gulf South Conference. West Florida dropped to 10-5 on the season and 5-3 in the league play.
West Florida opened the game with a three-pointer from Belle Bistrow, but Union's Jada Perkins took back the lead with two layups. Both teams played evenly in the first quarter with West Florida led by as many as four points, but Union's Chelsey Shumpert's jumper in the final seconds gave the Lady Bulldogs a 15-14 lead after the first quarter.
West Florida' Meyer scored a jumper on the first possession of the second quarter to give West Florida the lead once again. The teams continued to play close throughout the second quarter until Kyvin Goodwin-Rogers and Jada Perkins combined for an 8-0 run with four points each to give Union the lead for good. Union held their largest lead of the first half at the break, following a 3-pointer form Perkins at the buzzer to put Union ups 33-25 at the half.
Sara Lytle started the second half with a layup extending Union's lead to 10 points. The Lady Bulldogs kept their lead throughout the third quarter, only allowing the Lady Argonauts within seven points just under the four minute mark after a free throw from Halee Neiman. Union then put the game away with a 12-2 run to close the third quarter, taking a 62-45 lead into the fourth.
Lytle scored Union's first eight points of the fourth quarter, giving Union a 24 point lead. Union's largest lead of the game was 32 points, 82-50, after a layup from Shumpert. Union cruised to the final of 87-63.
For the second straight game, it was Perkins leading Union. She posted 27 points and 12 rebounds. Shumpert had 25 points and Lytle added 15 points. Union was 51 percent from the field, 33 percent (8-24) from three-point range, and 78 percent (11-14) from the free throw line.
For West Florida, Imani Mulmore led with 11 points. Bistrow, Shami Goodman, and Nieman added nine points each. West Florida was 33 percent from the field, 33 percent (6-17) from three-point range, and 78 percent from the foul line.
Up next for Union is another home game, Monday, January 15 versus Valdosta State University at 4:00 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM, watch on Eplus TV 6, or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
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