MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 66-63 at the University of Montevallo Saturday afternoon. Union dropped to 8-11 overall and 2-9 in the Gulf South Conference. Montevallo improved to 11-9 on the season and 6-5 in league play. 

Union scored the first three points of the game and maintained the lead for the entire first half. Montevallo stayed close and with 12:35 left in the half, had pulled to within two points, 15-13, of the Bulldogs. Union however, took over and for the next 10 minutes of play, outscored the Falcons 23-8. Following a 3-point play from KC Goodwin, Union led 37-21, with 2:55 left in the half. But the home Falcons stole the momentum from Union with three straight three pointers, while holding Union scoreless for the rest of the half. Union led just 38-30 at the break. 

Montevallo extended their run from the first half to 11-0 with a pair of free throws to open the second half. Union's Goodwin snapped the run with a layup to put Union back up by eight points, 40-32. But Montevallo was not done. The Falcons scored eight straight points to tie the game at 40-40 with 14:40 left in the game. Over the remainder of the game, the lead changed six times. Union managed to hold a lead for the majority of the time, but never more than five points.

Tyree Boykin hit a jumper with 55 seconds left to give Union a 63-60 lead. But just 11 second later, Montevallo's Jamaar Taylor nailed a game tying 3-pointer. Union had the ball and worked the shot clock down, but turned the ball over with 16 seconds left in the game. Montevallo had the ball, but missed on their first shot. However, an offensive rebound by Julio Guity and putback gave the Falcons a 65-63 lead with two seconds left. Following a Union turnover and foul, and a free throw from Montevallo, the final was set at 66-63. 

Union was led by Todd Barnes with 17 points, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Boykin added 11 points. Union shot 33 percent from the field, 39 percent (11-28) from long range, and 76 percent (16-21) from the free throw line. 

Montevallo was led by Taylor with 23 points, including his only 3-pointer of the game with two seconds left. Chris Williams added 18 points. The Falcons shot 40 percent from the field, 28 percent (5-18) from 3-point range, and 70 percent (19-27) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be the first of four straight home games starting Thursday, January 25 versus Shorter at 8 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM, watch on Eplus TV 6, or do both online at www.uuathletics.com/live. 

-UNION-