JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted a 61-58 win at home against the University of West Alabama Friday night in the first game of two this weekend. Union improved to 5-2 on the season and in Gulf South Conference play. This was only the second series of the season for West Alabama, moving the Tigers to 2-1 overall and in GSC play.

The win for Union marked the 200th career victory for head coach David NIven. He is now 200-141 (.587) for his career. He is in his 12th season as head coach and his 24th season with the Union men's basketball program.

West Alabama started the game with a 9-3 run. However, the Bulldogs scored 11 of the next 13 points to go up 14-11. After a back-and-forth affair Union would be down at halftime 34-31.  

In the second half, the lead for either team was no larger than six points. For the first six minutes of the second half Union played from behind, then took the lead with a jumper from JC Hawkins at the 14-minute mark. The lead remained in Union's hands for the rest of the game, getting as large as six points with a jumper from Ousmane Gueye.

Union was led by Dusan Djordjevic with 16 points, three rebounds, and a block. Jeremiah Littlepage, scored 11 points, Ousmane Gueye added 10, and Hunter Vick who was one point and rebound away from a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Union shot 49% from the field, 25% (3-12) from deep, and 82% (14-17) from the charity stripe.

West Alabama was led by Roger Davis with 16 points. The Tigers had three players score 12, Shardarrion Allen, Kortrijk Miles, and Amiri Waddell. The Tigers shot 37% from the field, 18% (2-11) from long range, and 84%(16-19) from the free-throw line.
Union scored 38 of its points in the paint and got a significant contribution from the bench with 29 points. The Bulldogs also won the battle on the glass bringing in 35 rebounds, to the Tigers 26.

The two teams will face off again, Saturday, January 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Fred Delay Gymnasium on the campus of Union University. Live stats, audio, and video can be found atwww.uuathletics.com/live and fans can listen locally on 101.5 FM.

-UNION-