JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted their second straight win with an 80-77 victory over Auburn University in Montgomery Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 8-5 on the season and 2-3 in the Gulf South Conference. AUM dropped to 6-7 overall and 2-4 in league play.
AUM was coming off an upset road win at No. 5 Christian Brothers Tuesday night. The Warhawks seemed to ride that momentum to a 28-17 lead over Union 10 minutes into the game. it was the largest lead of the game for AUM. Union however, survived the fast start and used a 12-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Todd Barnes to tie the game at 29-29. After AUM answered the run with a turnover and dunk by Desmond DeRamus to lead 31-29, Union took control and never trailed again in the game. Union outscored AUM 12-4 in the final three minutes of the first half to lead 42-35 at the break.
Union scored the first six points of the second half to push their lead to double figures for the first time in the game. Union led 48-35 with 17:51 left in the game. AUM posted a 10-0 run to get back to within four points. The two teams swapped baskets for most of the final 13 minutes of play. Union maintained of lead of 4-to-7 points during that stretch. For a brief moment, Union used a 6-0 run to lead again by 10, 75-65, with 3:26 left. However, back-to-back 3-pointers from DeRamus got his Warhawks back to within four points. Union answered with layups from Charlie Wilson and Alex Keel to keep the Union lead at two possessions late in the game.
With Union up 79-75 with 11 seconds left, Nick Velasquez hit 1-of-2 free throws. AUM quickly drove the length of the floor for a layup to get his team to within three points, 80-77. Union's Wilson missed the front end of a one and one. After a timeout, AUM had a final shot at the tie, but missed at the buzzer.
Union was led by Barnes with a game-high 23 points, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Pedro Da Silva added 14 points, Wilson scored 12 points, and Keel added 14 points. Wilson completed a double-double with 10 rebounds. Union shot 49 percent from the field, 37 percent (7-19) from 3-point range, and 81 percent (13-16) from the free throw line.
Auburn Montgomery was led by James-Core with 22 points and nine rebounds. DeRamus added 10 points and Taylor scored 10 points. The Warhawks shot 44 percent from the field, 37 percent (11-30) from long range, and 71 percent (10-14) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be a road game at North Alabama, Saturday, January 6 at 3 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
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