MOBILE, Ala. – The Union University men's basketball team lost 72-59 to Lane College in the South Region Crossover Classic hosted by Spring Hill College. Union dropped to 1-1 on the season, while Lane improved to 2-0.
 
The two Jackson, Tenn. Schools met for the first of two meetings over the next eight days. Union will travel crosstown to Lane for a rematch, Saturday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m.
 
Union's Tyree Boykin scored the game's first basket, but a 3-pointer for Lane gave the Dragons the lead and started a 12-0 run. LiDonta Hicks-Gentry stopped the run with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 12-5. However, Lane remained hot from the field and pushed its lead up to as many as 23 points, 32-9 with 7:14 left in the first half. Union began to slowly chip away at the deficit and by the half, had cut the Lane lead down to 34-20. Lane hit 55 percent (6-11) from 3-point range in the first half.
 
In the second half, Boykin made two quick baskets to cut the lead down to 10, but again a 3-pointer by Lane stopped the Union momentum. The Lane lead went back up to as many as 18 points twice in the second half, the latest coming 46-28 at the 14:52 mark. But again, Union continued to chip away at the led and following a 3-pointer from Terrandus Smith with 3:19 left in the game, Union's deficit was just four points, 58-54. However, a quick 8-0 run for Lane pushed the lead back to double figures and the Dragons held of Union for the 72-59 win.
 
Union was led by Boykin with 19 points, 12 coming in the second half. Ousmane Gueye added 10 points. The Bulldogs shot 43 percent from the field, 26 percent (6-23) from long range, and 79 percent (11-14) from long range. Union committed 20 turnovers in the game.
 
Lane was led by Lew Johnson and Tyler Henry with 20 points each. The Dragons shot 40 percent from the field, 32 percent (8-25) from long range, and 82 percent (14-17) from the free throw line.
 
Up next for Union will be a road game at Southern Arkansas, November 13 at 7 p.m.
 
-UNION-