JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball fell 73-67 to the University of West Alabama Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union dropped to 5-3 overall and in Gulf South Conference play. West Alabama improved to 3-1 on the season and in league play. 

Justin Debuck opened the game for Union with a 3-pointer as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-5 early lead. West Alabama rallied and tool their largest first-half lead of six points, 26-20. The teams went back and forth for most of the first half. West Alabama led 32-29 at the break. The first half featured 12 lead changes and five ties

In the second half, West Alabama held a slim lead until Union tied the game, 43-43, on a Hunter Vick 3-pointer. However, Union could not overtake the Tigers. UWA extended its lead out to as many as 10 points, 67-57, with 3:38 left in the game and again, 69-59, with 1:50 left. 

Union kept fighting and after another 3-pointer from Vick, the deficit was just four points, 69-65, with 49 seconds left. West Alabama was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final minute to secure the win, 73-67. 

Union was led by Tylandrius Parks with 20 points and Vick with 19 points. Vick led with five boards, while Debuck led with six assists. The Bulldogs shot 53 percent from the field, 39 percent (9-23) from 3-point range, and 94 percent (4-5) from the free-throw line. 

West Alabama outrebounded Union 25-19 and turnovers were close at 16 for UWA and 15 for Union. 

West Alabama was led by Davis with 16 points, while Allen and Miles added 14 points each. The Tigers shot 59 percent from the field, 31 percent (4-13) from 3-point range, and 94 percent (17-18) from the free-throw line. 


Up next for Union is a pair of road games at Mississippi College, Friday and Saturday, January 22-23. 

-UNION-