JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted a 63-62 victory over Auburn University at Montgomery Thursday evening at Fred DeLay Gymnasium, David Blackstock Court. Union improved 10-5 overall and 4-3 in the Gulf South Conference. Auburn Montgomery dropped to 6-10 on the season and 1-6 in league play. 

This game was much different than the first meeting three weeks ago in Montgomery, Ala. Union won that game 87-75 after leading by as many as 23 points in the second half. 

In this game, Union led just 30-29 at the half and the two teams played to a 33-33 tie in the final 20 minutes. The game was tied seven times with six lead changes. 

Union scored the first five points of the game, started by a 3-pointer from Alabama native Cooper Meadows. Union led by as many as six points early in the half, but AUM tied the game at 15-15. The teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the half. A layup with 56 seconds left by Union's LiDonta Hicks-Gentry gave Union the 30-29 lead that stood at the break. 

In the second half, AUM regained the lead and stretch its advantage to as many as seven points, 48-41, with 12:35 left to play. It was the largest lead for either team. Union rallied back and tied the game 49-49 with 8:30 left to play. The teams swapped leads a couple more times before a layup from Terrandus Smith gave Union the lead for good, 53-51. 

Union matched its largest lead of the game at six points twice in the final seven minutes of the game. Union held a 60-54 lead with 3:31 left to play. AUM chipped away and cut the deficit to 61-60 with 1:53 left. Union's Bryson Butler sank two free throws to give Union a 63-60 lead. AUM got a pair of free throws to once again pull to within one point, 63-62. Union had the ball with 47 seconds left and AUM decided to defend instead of fouling. Union missed the shot and AUM had the ball with a chance to win with 23 seconds left. After a timeout, AUM missed a running jumper in the lane and Union got the rebound to seal the win. 

Union was led for a second straight night by Hicks-Gentry with his 13 points. Butler scored 11 and Tylandrius Parks scored 10 points. Union shot 35 percent from the field, 14 percent (3-22) from 3-point range, and 88 percent (22-25) from the free throw line. It was the first time this year that Union earned a win and made less than 10 three pointers in a game. 

Auburn Montgomery was led by Carlos Bell with 24 points including four 3-pointers. Maharrith Jackson added 12 points and Jeremiah Bozeman scored 10 points. The Warhawks shot 40 percent from the field, 32 percent (7-22) from long range, and 64 percent (9-14) from the free throw line. AUM outrebounded Union 39-35 in the game. 

Up next for Union is a home GSC game Saturday, January 11 at 4 p.m. versus West Alabama. 

-UNION-