CARROLLTON, Ga. - The Union University men's basketball team posted an 81-80 win at the University of West Georgia Thursday night. Union improved to 14-7 overall and 8-5 in the Gulf South Conference. West Georgia dropped to 5-14 on the season and 3-8 in league play. 

Union dominated the first half, and started hot in the second half. West Georgia rallied from a 19 point deficit in the second half to take a lead in the final seconds. But Union's LiDonta Hicks-Gentry was the hero with two free throws with two seconds left to give his team the win.

West Georgia scored the first five points of the game and pushed out to a 9-3 lead early. Union rallied back and took its first lead, 13-11 on a layup from Tyree Boykin. With seven minutes left in the half, Union's lead reached double figures, 27-17 following a 3-pointer from Boykin. Union extended its lead t0 49-32 led at the half after leading by as many as 19 points twice in the first half. Sophomore guard Tyree Boykin had 23 points for Union at the half. 

Union matched its largest lead of the game at 19 points, 58-39, with 18:24 left following a 3-pointer from Hicks-Gentry. However, Union's shooting cooled off and West Georgia heated up. The home Wolves chipped away and a 3-pointer with 1:21 left in the game put West Georgia up 75-74. 

Union's Boykin answered with a 3-pointer to regain the lead. After West Georgia tied the game 77-77, Boykin hit a jumper to put Union up two points with 32 seconds left. However, West Georgia's Anderson sank a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left to put his team up one, 80-79. 

Then in the final seconds, Hicks-Gentry was fouled with two seconds left on his attempt. The senior drained two free throws to give Union the 81-80 win. West Georgia could not get a shot off and Union survived with the win. 

Union was led by Boykin with 33 points including six 3-pointers. Hicks-Gentry added 12 points, including a very important 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Terrandus Smith scored 11 points. Union shot 48 percent from the field, 46 percent (13-28) from 3-point range, and 75 percent (18-24) from the foul line. 

West Georgia was led by Jones with 25 points, Heard with 18 points, and Anderson 13 points. The Wolves shot 48 percent from the field, 31 percent (5-16) from long range, and 78 percent (21-27) from the free throw line. 

Union continues the road trip at Shorter University, Saturday, February 1 at 3 p.m.

-UNION-