CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Union University men's basketball team lost 77-55 at Delta State University Monday night. Union dropped to 7-4 overall and 2-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Delta State improved to 7-3 on the season and 3-1 in league play.
 
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Union, including two straight in the GSC.
 
Union started slow, scoring just six points over the first 11 minutes of play. Delta State led 16-6 at the 8:51 mark. Union got back-to-back 3-pointers from Terrandus Smith and JC Hawkins to cut the deficit to just four points. However, Delta State answered with a couple of 3-pointers and led again by 10 points. DSU led by as many as 13 points in the first half, before taking the 36-24 lead at the break.
 
In the second half, Union got as close at nine points, 51-42, with 11:46 left following a layup from Bryson Butler. But the GSC's top field goal shooting team, DSU, outscored Union 26-15 over the final 11 minutes of play. DSU led by as many as 22 points in the game, before taking the 77-55 final.
 
Union was led by Butler with 16 points, 12 coming in the second half. Terrandus Smith scored 13 points. Union shot 38 percent from the field, 30 percent (8-27) from long range, and just 47 percent (9-19) from the free throw line.
 
Delta State had four players in double figures led by Rasheide Bell with 18 points. Brett Warner added 17, Cedric Harper scored 14 and Armon Bendord added 12 points. The Statesmen shot 52 percent from the field, 41 percent (7-17) from long range, and 78 percent (14-18) from the free throw line.
 
DSU out rebounded Union 39-29, while also winning the turnover battle, committing 11 turnovers to 13 for Union.
 
Up next for Union will be its final non-conference game of the regular season and final game before Christmas. Union travels to LeMoyne-Owen Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
 
-UNION-