JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's' basketball defeated the University of Alabama Huntsville Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 13-1 over all the 5-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Alabama Huntsville dropped to 4-7 on the season and 2-3 in league play.
Union is currently ranked No. 1 in both NCAA D2 national polls, however, the Lady Bulldogs suffered the first loss of the season the past Thursday. Union responded against UAH with a big rally over the final 12 minutes to erase a double-digit deficit.
With 2:56 left in the third quarter, UAH led Union 58-46. Union exploded with a 21-6 run that spanned two quarters and six minutes of game time. Union posted a 10-2 run over the final 2:33 of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 60-56. Martin Martin got the run started with a 3-point play, followed by a 3-pointer from Tiffany Rechis. Union continued the momentum, scoring 11 of the first 15 points of the fourth quarter, taking the lead 67-64, with 4:16 left in the game.
UAH tied the game 68-68, but Rechis answered with a long 3-pointer with 1:39 left to play. Union hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
Union opened the game with a strong first quarter, jumping out to a 21-14 lead. Huntsville answered with a 20-16 seconds quarter. Union led 37-34 at the half. UAH scored 26 points in the third quarter, most of them early. The Chargers outscored Union 22-7 over the first six minutes of the third quarter to take their 12-point lead.
Union was led by Martin with 17 points and eight rebounds. Kennedy Childers added 14 points and eight rebounds. Jada Perkins filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Rechis hit four 3-pointers as a part of her 13 points. Union shot 43 percent from the field, 43 percent (9-21) from long range, and 70 percent (19-27) from the free throw line.
UAH was led by Baylee Johnson with 16 points, Morgan Tipton with 14 points, Katie Speegle with 11, and Aryn Sanders with 10 points. Speegle and Sanders both completed double-doubles with 10 rebounds each. The Chargers shot 41 percent from the field, 25 percent (6-24), and 80 percent (12-15) from the free throw line.
UAH out-rebounded Union 40-34 in the game, including 10-6 offensively. Union committed just eight turnovers, forcing 12 from UAH.
Up next for Union will be a pair of road games in Alabama, first at Auburn-Montgomery Thursday night and then West Alabama Saturday. Listed on 93.1 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live.
-UNION-
