CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team fell to Lee University 72-68 Thursday evening in Cleveland, Tenn. Union, ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II South Region Rankings, No. 6 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 6 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, dropped to 25-2 overall and 17-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee University improved to 21-6 overall and 15-3. 

Lee started with a 3-1 run, a layup by Jada Perkins put Union down by one at 4-3. Lee then went on a six point lead to go ahead 10-3. Union once again cut back up, only to fall again with a five point run from Lee. Union never took the lead in the first quarter. 

Union pulled ahead at the 8:06 mark, 22-21. It was the Lady Bulldogs' only lead of the half as they went into the locker room down, 32-30. 

Neither team scored in the first three minutes of the third quarter. A lay up by Morgan Martin put Union ahead by one 33-32 at the 7:17 minute mark. Union went on a five point run to dive ahead 40-35, Lee responded with their own five point run to tie the game at 40-40. Lee finished the third quarter with back-to-back threes, to pull ahead 50-45. 

The fourth quarter was once again a battle for the lead. Martin made two free throws to put Union within two points of Lee at a 1:39 left to play. Lee was able to hold onto their lead and finish with a win, 72-68. 

Union was led by Martin with 23 points and 15 rebounds, her twelfth double-double on the season. Jada Smith scored 22 points for Union and Perkins added 12. 

Lee was led by Lindsey Roddy with 19 points and Becca Cheeks with 17 points. 

Union was 1-9 from behind the arc. Lee out rebounded Union 37 to 32, 11 of Lee's rebounds were offensive adding up to 11 second chance points. Lee recorded 14 assists to Union's eight. 

Up next for Union is their last regular season conference match up against Christian Brothers University at Union on Thursday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m.

-UNION-