JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 71-67 to Lee University Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union dropped to 7-6 overall and 2-3 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee improved to 8-5 on the season and 5-0 in league play. 

The win for Lee was its seventh straight on the season, while Union has dropped three straight.

The teams swapped baskets early tying the game at two, four, and six. Lee then scored six straight, stopped by a 3-pointer from Tylandrius Parks. Union stayed close, getting to within one point three times, including 20-19, with 7:59 left in the half. Lee then slowly began to extend the lead and with 2:30, the Flames held their largest lead of the half, 36-24. Union closed the gap to 38-29 at the break with the help of a 3-pointer from Terrandus Smith. 

Lee quickly led by 12 points again, thanks to a 5-2 run to start the second half. Union, however, chipped away and following a 3-pointer from Peyton Stovall with 15:22 left, Union was within two points, 46-44. But again, Union was not able to tie or take the lead as Lee used a 9-0 run to quickly push the lead back to double figures, 55-44 with 12:15 left.  The Flame lead stayed in the 7-11 point range for the next eight minutes until a 3-pointer from Samory Gueye got Union to within five points, 65-60, with 4:32 left. Another 3-pointer from Parks and a layup from Bryson Butler capped an 11-2 run for the Bulldogs that tied the game 65-65, with 2:33 left.

Lee then stopped the run with a basket to lead 67-65. After a Union turnover, foul, and technical foul, Lee has pushed the lead back to five, 70-65, with 1:50 left. Union got a basket from Butler to cut the deficit to 70-67 with 55 seconds left. Lee missed on a couple of shots and Union got the rebound with and called timeout with 27 seconds left. Union missed on two shots and had to foul Lee with six seconds left. The Flames sealed the win with one-of-two free throws to win 71-67. 

Union was led by Gueye, tying his career-high with 21 points. Butler scored 15 points, while Smith and Parks added 11 points each. The Bulldogs shot 40 percent from the field, 32 percent (6-19) from 3-point range, and 73 percent (11-15) from the free throw line. 

Union out-rebounded Lee 41-29 in the game, with both teams committing 12 turnovers. 

Lee was led by Jones with 17 points. Blevins scored 15, Montgomery added 14, and McGuirk scored 12. The Flames shot 50 percent from the field, 33 percent (6-18) from long range, and 77 percent (13-17) from the free throw line.  

Up next for Union will be a home GSC matchup Saturday, January 5 at 4 p.m. versus Alabama Huntsville. 

-UNION-