VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Union University men's basketball team lost at Valdosta State University 92-76 Tuesday evening in the Gulf South Conference Quarterfinals. Union ended its season 16-13 overall, while Valdosta State improved to 24-5 overall. Valdosta was the top seed, while Union was the 8-seed.

VSU jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first 1:30 of the game. The Blazers extended the lead to 18-4 before JC Hawkins hit a three to bring score within 11. Union went scoreless for two minutes, giving VSU the chance to forge ahead, 24-7. The Bulldogs went on a 17-1 run with Terrandus Smith scoring nine of those points. Union pulled to within one point of the Blazers, 25-24. VSU responded with a 10-0 run to open the lead back up, 34-24. Union chipped away at the lead, and went into the locker room down 43-37.

Back-to-back threes from Union's Payton Stovall tied VSU 43-43. LiDonta Hicks-Gentry hit a three to give Union its first lead of the game, 46-45. The teams battled for a lead before VSU pushed ahead. With 6:40 left to play in the second half and his team leading 65-61, Beau Justice hit five threes in three minutes to extend Valdosta State's lead 18 points, 80-65. Union was never able to make up the difference, falling 92-76.

Union was led by Stovall with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. Smith added 20 points with eight rebounds and five assists.

Justice had 35 points for VSU shooting 54 percent (7-13) from behind the arc.

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