JACKSON, Tenn - The Union University women's basketball team posted an 83-80 win over the University of West Georgia Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium, David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 15-4 overall and 9-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Georgia dropped to 12-5 on the season and 5-4 in league play.
Union led by 11 points, 47-36, early in the third quarter, matching its largest lead of the night. West Georgia rallied back and with a layup at the end of the quarter, had cut Union's lead down to three points, 62-59. West Georgia scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter, extending its run to 13-0 and taking its largest lead of the night, 70-62.
Follow a Union timeout, the Lady Bulldogs stopped the run with a layup from
Jaelencia Williams. A 3-pointer from
Emily Beard gave Union the lead again, 74-72, with 5:05 left to play, capping a 12-2 run for Union.
West Georgia got as close as one point a few times in the final minutes, including 81-80 with one minute left following a 3-pointer form Siera Carter. It was her team's 14th made 3-pointer of the game. After Union failed to score on its possession, West Georgia had the ball, down one, with 22 seconds left. Taylor Brown found a lane to the basket but her layup rolled off the rim into the hands of Union's Williams. After a couple of fouls to put Union on the line,
Jacie Higgins sank two free throws and Union now led by three with two seconds left. UWG missed on its last second 3-point attempt.
Union led by seven points at the half, 41-34, and led by as many as 11 points in the first half, 33-22. UWG's only lead of the first half was briefly at 7-6.
Union was led by
Jada Smith with 21 points. It was the third straight game for the senior with at least 20 points. Williams and Beard added 19 points each. Beard hit five 3-pointers and Williams led with nine rebounds. Union shot 54 percent from the field, 41 percent (7-17) from long range, and 62 percent (8-13) from the free throw line.
West Georgia had five players in double figures led by Taylor Brown with 17 points, including four 3-pointers. Edley Drawhorn added 13 points, Ashley Lee scored 12 points, Siera Carter added 11 points, and Kylah Mize scored 10 points. The Wolves shot 44 percent from the field, 42 percent (14-33) from 3-point range, and 88 percent (14-16) from the free throw line.
Union out-rebounded West Georgia 36-28, while both teams committed 16 turnovers.
Up next for Union will be the second home game of the week, Saturday, January 25 versus Shorter University at 2 p.m.
-UNION-
