JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball fell 56-51 to Lee University Thursday evening at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union dropped to 12-1 on the season and 4-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee improved to 10-3 overall and 4-1 in league play. 

Union is currently ranked No. 1 in both NCAA D2 national polls with the next poll set to be released Tuesday, January 8. Union has been ranked in the top-5 all season in both polls. 

Union's Kennedy Childers opened the game with a 3-pointer and scored five of Union's first seven points as the Lady Bulldogs led 7-1 early. However, Childers and Morgan Martin both struggled with foul trouble early. Lee rallied to lead 16-15 at the end of the first quarter. 

Lee dominated the second quarter 16-9 over Union, holding the Lady Bulldogs to just two points in the final seven minutes of play. Union did not score for the final 4:21 of the first half and trailed 32-24 at the end of the second quarter. 

Union opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run to tie the game. But Lee responded with a banked in a 3-pointer after getting one of its 10 offensive rebounds in the game. Lee followed with a 3-point play to lead by six points. Union got as close as one point twice late in the third quarter but could not get over the hump. Lee led 44-42 after three quarters. 

In the fourth quarter, Lee extended its lead to as many as eight points again, 53-45, with 4:27 left. Jada Smith then answered with four straight points followed by a layup from Martin to pull Union to within two points, 53-51 with just over a minute left to play. But with 36 seconds left, Lee's Kayla Tillie hit a 3-pointer from the corner to seal the upset, 56-51. 

Union posted its lowest shooting percentages of the season in all three areas, hitting just 36 percent from the field, only 15 percent (3-20) from long range, and 47 percent (8-17) from the free throw line. Union was led by Smith with 14 points. Childers added 12 points and Martin scored 11 points. 

Lee out-rebounded Union 30-28, including 10-7 offensively. Union forced 15 Lee turnovers while committing just 11. 

Tillie was the lone Lady Flame in double figures with 15 points, including 3-of-4 shooting from long range. The Lady Flames shot 35 percent from the field, 33 percent (7-21) from 3-point range, and 70 percent (7-10) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be a GSC home contest Saturday, January 5 at 2 p.m. versus Alabama Huntsville. 

-UNION-