JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated the University of Alabama in Huntsville 72-56 Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union, ranked No. 10 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 4 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, improved to 21-1 on the season and 14-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Alabama Huntsville dropped to 11-10 overall and 5-9 in league play.
The win for Union clinched a spot in the GSC Tournament. It also extended three winning streaks including 16 straight on the season. Union extended their home court winning streak to 18 games and their GSC regular season winning streak to 18 games, both dating back to last season.
UAH stormed out of the gate, jumping out to a 9-2 lead after four minutes of play. Union started making shots and following back-to-back 3-pointers form Chelsey Shumpert, Union took their first lead 20-19. Over the final two minutes of the first quarter and the first eight minutes of the second quarter, Union outscored UAH 18-9. Union led by as many as five points twice in the second quarter before taking their largest lead of the half into the locker room, 34-28.
Union's Tiffany Rechis opened the second half with a 3-pointer to put Union up by seven points. UAH rallied back to cut the deficit to just two points, 39-37, with 5:28 left in the third quarter. Union responded with an 8-0 run, including a 3-pointer from Rechis and one from Sara Lytle to pushed their lead to double figures for the first time in the game, 47-37. Union continued to extend their lead and with the 72-56 final, Union held their largest lead of the game. Union got two more late 3-pointers from Rechis to help seal the win.
Union was again by Shumpert with 31 points, including 20 points in the first half. It was the ninth time this season for the senior to eclipse 30 points in a game. Rechis added 15 points on four 3-pointers, while Bria Gaines added her season best 10 points. Jada Perkins posted a double-double with game highs 14 rebounds and 12 assists. Union shot 36 percent from the field, 29 percent (10-35) from long range, and 92 percent (12-13) from the free throw line.
Alabama Huntsville was led by Payne with 16 points and Elder with 14 points. The Chargers shot 45 percent from the field, 35 percent (8-23) from 3-point range, and 31 percent (4-13) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be the final of four straight home games, Saturday, February 3 versus No. 20/14 North Alabama at 2 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM, watch on EpusTv 6, or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
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