PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Union University women's basketball team lost 80-78 Saturday afternoon at the University of West Florida. Union, ranked No. 12 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 6 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, fell to 24-3 overall and 17-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Florida improved to 16-10 overall and 11-8 in league play. 

Union and West Florida both were listed in this week's first NCAA DII South Region Rankings with Union at No. 1 and West Florida at No. 10. Union defeated West Florida back on January 12 at Union 87-63. 

Despite the loss, Union clinched at least a share of the 2018 GSC Title when North Alabama (16-3, GSC) lost at Valdosta State earlier in the day. With one game left for Union, the Lady Bulldogs could at worst finish tied with UNA, and Union will win the tie-breaker should that happen. This marks the fourth GSC Regular Season Title for Union in the six years in the league. 

Union's Chelsey Shumpert scored 42 points in the loss at West Florida. The 42 points is a new career-high for the senior. It also ties Shumpert for third on Union's all-time list for points in a game. She is tied with former NCAA DII All-American Amy Philamlee who scored 42 points almost three years ago to the day (2/19/15) versus North Alabama. The 42 points is second most by a Union player in regulation (44 by Ester Coleman), and third most counting overtime games (Michelle Street 45 in overtime game).

Shumpert opened the game with a 3-pointer, but West Florida answered with 10 straight points. Union scored eight straight points to regain an 11-10 lead with 4:52 left in the first quarter. Other than a 19-19 tie, West Florida led the rest of the quarter, including a 25-21 lead at the end of the first. West Florida led for the entire second quarter, including by as many as 10 points, before taking a 45-38 lead at the break. West Florida shot 63 percent in the first half. 

In the third quarter, West Florida push out to their largest lead of the game, 11 points, 54-43 with 7:45 left in the quarter. Union slowly chipped away and by the end of the third, trailed just 61-60.  

Union extended their run to 8-0 with the first four points of the fourth quarter. A free throw by Shumpert followed by a 3-pointer from AnnaLea Little, Union led 64-61. However, West Florida responded with an 8-0 run of their own to regain the lead. The Argos went up 75-66 with just over four minutes left and seemed to have the game in control. 

Union stormed back and with 1:29 left, had cut the deficit to just one, 77-76. After a layup from UWF, Shumpert hit a pair of free throws to get Union back to within one, 79-78. Union then forced a missed shot by the Argos with 19 seconds left, but could not gather the rebound as it went out of bounds. UWF got to the foul line and made one, making the lead 80-78. Union had 17 seconds left and Shumpert missed on a 3-point attempt for the win. 

West Florida out rebounded Union 54-31 in the game, including 17-6 on the offensive glass. 

Union was led by Shumpert's 42 points, including 25 in the first half. Jada Perkins added 12 points. union shot 41 percent from the field, 33 percent (12-36) from 3-point range, and 68 percent (12-18) from the free throw line. 

West Florida was led by Shaniqua Magee with 18 points and Helee Nieman with 16 points. Courtney Meyer added 13 points and 14 rebounds. The Argos shot 43 percent from the field, 55 percent (6-11) from long range, and 73 percent (16-22) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be the final regular season game of the year, Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. Listen on 93.1 FM or online atwww.uuathletics.com/live. A win for Union gives the Lady Bulldogs the outright GSC Title.