Box Score MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The Union University men's basketball team posted an 80-72 overtime win at the University of Montevallo Thursday night. Union improved to 17-7 overall and 11-5 in the Gulf South Conference. Montevallo dropped to 11-12 on the season and 7-8 in league play. 

With the win, Union moved into a three way tie for third place in the GSC with just four games left in the regular season. The top eight teams advance to the conference tournament, and the top four teams will host a first round game, Tuesday March 3. The semifinals and finals are in Birmingham, March 7-8. 

Union jumped up 5-0 to start the game, sparked by a 3-pointer from Payton Stovall to open play. Union led by as many as 10 points twice in the first half before taking a 31-23 lead into the locker room. 

Montevallo started the second half with four straight points, but the Stovall again got Union's first points of the half with a 3-pointer. However, Montevallo kept coming and following a 3-pointer with 15:06 left in the game, the Falcons took their first lead 36-35. The teams went back-and-forth for the rest of regulation. Union was finally able to gain a little momentum and take a 65-60 lead with 1:44 left in the second half. But Ivan Smith for Montevallo converted a 3-point play, then after a Union miss, sank a jumper to tie the game 65-65 with 27 seconds left. Union missed a jumper, got the rebound and missed the second chance, forcing the game into overtime. 

In overtime, Union's Ty Parks scored the first basket and Union never trailed the rest of the way. Union outscored Montevallo 10-1 to start the overtime period including a third 3-pointer from Stovall. Cedric Jackson of Montevallo hit his fifth and sixth 3-pointers of the night to keep his team close. But Union answered each time with free throws, hitting 5-of-6 in the final minute of play. Union came away with the 80-72 win. 

Union was led by Terrandus Smith with 19 points. Tyree Boykin added 16 points, Stovall scored 12 points, and Ty Parks scored 11 points. Samory Gueye led with nine rebounds. Union shot 45 percent from the field, including 4-of-5 from the field in overtime. Union was 36 percent (10-28) from 3-point range and 77 percent (20-26) from the free throw line. 

Montevallo was led by Jackson with 23 points, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Malcom and Lowman added 13 points each, while Smith scored 11 points. The Falcons shot 46 percent from the field, 42 percent (10-24) from 3-point range, and 56 percent (10-18) from the free throw line. 

Union continues the Alabama road trip with a game Saturday, Feb. 15 at West Alabama at 4 p.m.

-UNION-