JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted an 81-66 win over the University of Montevallo Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium, David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 16-9 overall and 11-6 in the Gulf South Conference. Montevallo dropped to 9-17 overall and 5-11 in league play. 

The win for Union clinched a spot in the GSC Tournament for the fourth time in the five year history of being eligible for the tournament. Union is currently tied for fifth place in the GSC standings with three games left. The top four teams host a quarterfinal game in the tournament, and Union has games left with No. 1 West Alabama, No. 3 Christian Brothers and at No. 7 Lee. 

Montevallo scored the first five points of the game, but Union answered in a big way from long range early. Union's first 21 points all came from 3-pointers, hitting 7-of-9 to start the game. Union's first 2-point field goal of the game came at the 11:23 mark on a layup from Peyton Stovall. Union answered with a third 3-pointer from JC Clausi to lead 26-16 with 10:55 left in the half. After the Falcons cut Union's lead to six, Samory Gueye's layup followed by Clausi's fourth 3-pointer gave Union an 11-point lead, 31-20. After swapping baskets Union extended its lead to as many as 14 points, 38-24 and then again 43-29. Union went into the locker room up 47-35. 

Union shot over 50 percent from the field and 3-point range in the first half. 

In the second half, Union pushed its lead to as many as 23 points twice, 66-43 and again 68-45 with 8:29 left in the game. Union cruised to the 81-66 win. 

Union committed just six turnovers in the game while forcing 11 from the Falcons. Montevallo edged Union 36-35. 

Union had five players in double figures led by Tylandrius Parks with 23 points and 12 rebounds. It was his sixth double-double of the season and fifth in last seven games. Clausi has a career-high 15 points on 5-of-9 three-pointers. LiDonta Hicks-Gentry scored 14 points and Stovall added 13 points. Union shot 41 from the field, 41 percent (14-34) and 93 percent (13-14) from the free throw line. 

Montevallo was led by Fuller with 20 points and Curtis with 16 points. The Falcons shot 40 percent from the field, 27 percent (8-30) from long range, and 92 percent (12-13) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union is a home game Saturday at 4 p.m. versus GSC leader West Alabama. 

-UNION-