JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team defeated the University of West Alabama 75-73 at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 12-14 on the season and 6-12 in the Gulf South Conference. West Alabama dropped to 19-7 overall and remain in third place with a 13-5 league record.
Union head coach David Niven said, "I'm extremely proud of our guys tonight. It has been a long time since we've had a win like this. I'm happy for the guys and we have a great opportunity to go on the road and finish this season very strong, facing two region ranked team. We will miss our seniors and are very happy for them tonight."
West Alabama jumped out to a 16-6 lead over the first seven minutes thanks to a pair of 7-0 runs. Union clawed their way back and with 5:17 left in the first half, tied the game 22-22. West Alabama regained a small lead over the next couple of minutes. But then, a 3-pointer from Union's KC Goodwin with 1:13 left in the half, gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the night, 31-30. Josh Fleming from West Alabama answered with a 3-pointer to put his team up 33-31. Nick Velasquez tied the game for Union with a jumper with 39 seconds left. After a missed shot by UWA, Union held for the final shot of the half. Tyree Boykin drained a guarded 3-pointer from the top of the key with five seconds left to put Union up 36-33 at the half.
Continuing their 5-0 run to end the first half, Union scored the first five points of the second half to take a 41-33 lead. Boykin hit another 3-pointer to cap the 10-0 run. West Alabama scored the next six points, to cut the Union lead to two points, 41-39. Union then went on an 8-0 run with four free throws and two layups. Union held their largest lead of the game at 10 points, 49-39, with 16:03 left to play. It was West Alabama's turn to claw back into the game. Over the next six-plus minutes, the Tigers chipped away and tied the game 57-57 with 9:33 left to play. After Union went back up by five points, West Alabama got back-to-back 3-pointer to take a 67-66 lead with 4:33 left in the game. Union's Boykin answered with his fifth 3-pointer of the game to give Union the 69-67 lead with 4:16 left. After UWA tied the game on a basket, Charlie Wilson hit one-of-two free throws give Union a 70-69 lead with 3:42 left. The Tigers got a layup and pair of free throws to lead 73-70 with 2:13 left. Neither team scored on their next possessions.
After a turnover by UWA, Union got the ball back with 53 seconds left. Union got the shot they wanted as Boykin sank his sixth 3-pointer to tie the game at 73-73. Bank on defense, Union's Tevin Florent blocked the UWA shot with 10 seconds left. Union took the loose ball, sprinted down the floor. Senior KC Goodwin found Florent under the basket for a layup, putting Union up 75-73 with five seconds left. The Tigers turned the ball over on their final attempt at a shot, giving Union the upset win.
Union was led by Tyree Boykin with 32 points for a new career high. He drained 6-of-10 3-pointers in the win. Charlie Wilson scored 10 points, while Tevin Florent scored five points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks including the game saving block in the final seconds. Union shot 44 percent from the field, 31 percent (8-26) from long range, and 73 percent (11-15) from the foul line.
West Alabama was led by Easton with 18 points and Robinson with 17 points. Fleming added 15 points, while Alexander finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers shot 45 percent from the field, 33 percent (7-21) from 3-point range, and 74 percent (14-19) from the free throw line.
Union will hit the road for the final two games of the year. First up is a trip to West Florida, Saturday, February 17 at 4 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
-UNION-
