MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The Union University women's basketball team posted an 84-77 win at the University of Montevallo Thursday evening. Union improved to 20-4 overall and 14-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Montevallo dropped to 16-7 on the season and 10-5 in league play. 

Not only was it the 20th win of the season for Union, but also a win that clinched a home game in the GSC Quarterfinals, Tuesday, March 3rd. Time is to be determined.

In the win, senior guard Jada Smith earned her 500th career assist. Earlier this season, she also passed the career marks of 1,500 points and 500 rebounds. She became just the second Union women's basketball player to have at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. Lisa Caudle Hutchens was the only other.

Union scored the first eight points in the game. However, Union could not pull away and Montevallo chipped away to tie the game 17-17. Union scored the last five points of the first quarter to lead 22-17. 

Montevallo got as close as one point in the second quarter, but Union freshman Sadie Knee hit a 3-pointer to stop the Falcon run. Union took its first double-digit lead of the night, 48-37, following a 3-pointer from Emily Beard at the 1:52 mark. Union led 50-41 at the half. 

Union led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter and maintained a lead of double figures or near double figures for the quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, Union matched its largest lead of the night at 13 points, 76-63. Montevallo had one last run of 12-0, capped by a 3-pointer from Jackson native Kiya Sain, to cut Union's lead to just one points. Union's Smith responded with four straight points to stop the run. Union was 4-of-6 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to seal the seven point win. 

Union was by Smith with 27 points. Three-time GSC Freshman of the Week, including each of the last two weeks, Shanique Lucas added 17 points. Beard scored 15 points on 5-of-7 three pointers. Jacie Higgins added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Union shot 52 percent from the field, 42 percent (10-24) from the 3-point range, and 80 percent (12-15) from the free throw line. 

Montevallo had six players with nine points or more, including five in double figures. Kourtnie Smith led with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sain finished with 15 points, Shyan Flack and Jordan Jones had 11 each, and five time GSC Freshman of the Week, Marisa Snodgrass added 10 points. The Falcons shot 40 percent from the field, 42 percent (10-24) from long range, and 54 percent (13-24) from the free throw line. 

Union continues the Alabama road trip with a game Saturday, February 15 at West Alabama at 2 p.m.

-UNION-