JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated Shorter University 62-46 Thursday night. The Lady Bulldogs, ranked No. 12 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 4 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, improved to 19-1 overall and 12-0 in the Gulf South Conference. The Hawks dropped to 5-13 on the season and 3-9 in conference play. 

Shorter scored the first five points of the game and Union did not get on the board until a free throw from Chelsey Shumpert at the 5:51 mark. Union first field goal was a layup by Kyvin Goodin-Rogers at the 5:23 mark. Union scored six straight to take the lead. The teams swapped leads two more times before Union took the lead for good on a 3-pointer from Tiffany Rechis, 22-2- with 2:56 left in the second quarter. Union led by as many as five points, before taking a 27-23 lead into the half. 

Union began the third quarter on an 8-2 run, extending their lead to ten points, 35-25. Shorter cut the deficit back to three points with 2:10 left in the third quarter. Union led 44-36 at the end of three. Union finally was able to extend their lead to over 10 points and held their largest lead of the game, 16 points, with the 62-46 final. 

Union was lead by Sara Lytle with 24 points. Shumpert had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Perkins had ten points and five assists. AnnaLea Little led with a game-high 10 rebounds. Union was 33 percent from the field, 19 percent (5-26) from three-point range, and 67 percent (19-28) from the foul line. 

Thornton lead Shorter with 14 points and eight rebounds. BreAnna Thompson had nine points. The Lady Hawks were 30 percent from the field, 39 percent (9-23) from three-point range, and 50 percent (3-6) from the foul line. 

Next up for Union is the second of four straight home games, Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m. versus No. 23 Lee. Listen on 93.1 FM, watch on Eplus TV 6, or online at www.uuathletics.com/live. 

-UNION-