JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 74-68 at home against Lee University Thursday Night. Union dropped to 17-9 on the season and 11-7 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee improved to 20-5 overall and 15-3 in the GSC. 

The first five minutes of the game belonged to the Bulldogs, although it was mostly defensive, Lee did not take the lead until the 15-minute mark when a three pointer put the Flames ahead 7-5. A jump shot by Tyree Boykin tied the game with 14 minutes left in the half, but the Flames took possession of the lead and kept it for the remainder of the first half. Lee's largest lead of the first half was 20 points, following a buzzer-beater three by Quay Kennedy at the end of the half. The half time score was 46-26. 

Boykin scored 24 of the Bulldogs 26 points, and made of all of Union's field goals, as the remaining two points came from two made free throws by LiDonta Hicks-Gentry. 

At the beginning of the second half the Bulldogs came out hot, and a made three-pointer by Payton Stovall led the charge for the Bulldogs offense. Union outscored Lee 23-6 over the first 5-plus minutes of play to cut the lead to three points. Union got as close as two points with 17 seconds remaining in the game with a score of 70-68. However, the Flames hit free throws and held of Union's rally, 74-68.

Union was led by Tyree Boykin with 31 points. Terrandus Smith added 11 points, led the team with 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Cooper Meadows added eight points with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Union shot 39 percent (24-61) from the field, 36 percent from long range (12-33), and 89 percent (8-9) from the free throw line.

Lee was led by Ryan Montgomery with 16 points. Parker Suedekum added 13 and Quay Kennedy added 12 points. The Flames shot 46 percent from the field, 44 percent (11-25) from 3-point range, and 92 percent (13-14) from the free throw line.

Up next for Union will be a home conference game against Mississippi College, February 22, at 4:00 p.m.

-UNION-