JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost to Delta State University 71-65 Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union dropped to 9-8 overall and 4-5 in conference play. Delta State improved to 12-4 and a league-best 8-1
in conference play.
Delta State started the game with two straight baskets. Union responded with 16-6 run that included three-pointers by
Terrandus Smith and
Payton Stovall to put Union ahead. DSU then scored five straight to regain the lead. The two teams traded the lead four times in the final minutes of the first half, but DSU ended the half with a 9-2 run to go up 37-33 at the break.
Delta State kept their run going into the second half. The Statesmen's largest lead of 17 points came at the 9:48 mark. Then Union's Smith started a 12-2 run with just under six minutes left to play that brought the Bulldogs back within six points. Smith's 4-point play put the score at 66-60 with just over three minutes to play.
Samory Gueye's layup with 1:29 left got Union as close as four points, 69-65. However, after both teams missed on shots at the basket in the final minute, DSU's Brett Warner sank two free throws to seal the win.
Union was led by Smith with 26 points including five 3-pointers. Stovall added 11 with three 3-pointers.
Tylandrius Parks led Union in rebounds with eight. The Bulldogs were 36 percent from the field, 32 percent (9-28) from long range, and 85 percent (18-21) from the foul line.
The Bulldogs were out-rebounded by the Statesmen 34-24, including 10-6 offensively. Union forced 12 turnovers while giving the ball up 13 times.
Delta State was led by Brett Warner with 23 points. Rasheide Bell had 13 points, and Cameron Burkett had 10 points. The Statesmen were 47 percent from the field, 30 percent (6-20) from three-point range, and 73 percent (11-15) from the foul line. DSU was 4-of-8 in the second half from 3-point range to help build its lead.
Next up for Union is another GSC home game against Mississippi College, Saturday, January 19 at 4:00 p.m.
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