CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Union University women's basketball team suffered its first defeat of the 2019-20 season with a 90-82 double overtime loss to Barry University. The game was played as a part of the South Region Crossover Classic hosted by Delta State University. Union dropped to 1-1 on the season, while Barry improved to 1-1 overall.
In six years of playing the South Region Crossover Classics to open the season, this marks the first loss Union has suffered in the classic. This includes four straight wins over Barry before Saturday's game.
Union trailed early, including 25-17 after the first quarter. Barry led by as many as 10 points in the second quarter before Union cut the deficit to just four, 39-35 at the half. Union outscored Barry 21-7 in the third quarter to take the lead. Union led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter (63-50 with 6:45 left), including an eight point lead with just 2:21 left to play.
A 3-pointer by
Jacie Higgins with 2:21 left put Union up 69-61. Barry answered with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to five. After a turnover by Union, a two pointer from Barry cut the Union lead down to three points, 69-66. Union missed a jumper, giving Barry a shot at the end. Harriet Swindells hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game and send it to overtime.
In overtime, Union led by as many as five points, but again could not hold the lead. Barry took a brief one point lead, 75-74. Union responded and led 79-77 with 1:18 left after a layup from
Jaelencia Williams. Barry tied the game on the next possession. Neither team scored in the final minute.
In double overtime, it was all Barry. Three points by Williams was all Union could get in the second overtime. Barry outscored Union 11-3 for the win.
Union was led by Williams with 31 points and 16 rebounds.
Jada Smith scored 18 and
Jacie Higgins added 16 points. Union shot 42 percent from the field, 25 percent (6-24) from long range, and 64 percent (14-22) from the free throw line.
Barry was led by Nichel Tampa with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Swindells added 18 points and Baena scored 13. Hergot added 10 rebounds. The Bucs shot 39 percent from the field, 31 percent (9-29) from the 3-point line, and 72 percent (21-29) from the foul line.
Up next for Union will be a home game, Thursday, November 14 versus Rust College at 6 p.m.
-Union-
