CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball lost 71-67 at No. 5 Lee University Saturday afternoon. Union dropped to 11-3 on the season and 5-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee improved to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in the GSC. 

Union trailed by as many as 19 points, 24-5, in the first quarter, including 11-0 to start the game. With 2:56 left in the first quarter, Union scored 11 straight points sparked by three straight 3-pointers to get back into the game. From the 2:56 mark of the first quarter to the end of the game, Union outscored Lee 62-47. Union tied the game three times in the fourth quarter but was not able to take lead. 

Union controlled the second quarter outscoring Lee 15-11 and cutting the lead just four points. Lee took the 34-31 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Union got as close as two points. Union tied the game in the fourth quarter on a free throw by Jaelencia Williams. Lee responded with a jump shot, then Williams made a layup to tie the game again. The Lady Flames led by as many as seven points before setting the final score at 71-67. 

Union was led by Jacie Higgins and Jada Smith with 14 points each. Emily Beard and Williams each added 12 points. Smith also led the team in rebounds with seven. Union shot 39 percent (20-51) from the field, 50 percent from long range (8-16), and 83 percent (19-23) from the free throw line.

Lee was led by Camryn Grant with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Haley Schubert added 12 points. The Lady Flames shot 40 percent from the field, 32 percent (9-28) from 3-point range, and 80 percent (16-20) from the free throw line.

Up next for Union is a home conference game against Auburn Montgomery, January 9, at 5:30 p.m. Union knocked off AUM 81-50 on December 16. 

-UNION-