LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The Union University women's basketball posted an 88-55 victory at the University of West Alabama Saturday afternoon. Union improved to 6-2 overall and in Gulf South Conference play. West Alabama dropped to 3-3 on the season and in league play. 

Union led wire to wire and led by double figures all but about four minutes early in the game.   

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "In the last three games, we are starting to become a team that understands its gifts and understands the importance of details. We played very well in some areas and we have some areas to clean up. I am proud of how hard we are playing."
 
Union stormed out of the gate, jumping out to a quick 13-2 advantage over the first four minutes. Eight of the 13 points during that early run came from newcomer Selale Kepenc. Union held a 16-point lead three times in the first quarter, before taking a 27-13 lead at the end of the first period. 

The second period started slowly as Union got a free throw from Shanique Lucas at the 7:47 mark. The first field goal for either team came at the six-minute mark, again from Lucas. The first nine points of the second quarter for Union came from Lucas. Late in the quarter, Union again heated up and extended its lead to as many as 22 points, 36-14, in the second quarter. Union led 42-22 at the break. Lucas scored 17 first-half points, including two 3-pointers and two 3-point plays for the Lady Bulldogs. 

Emily Beard for Union got on the board with a 3-pointer in the third quarter as Union continued to build on its big lead. In the final minute of the quarter, Union's Jordan Little posted a quick 6-0 run herself on a 3-pointer and a 3-point play on back-to-back possessions. That gave Union's is largest lead to this point at 28 points, 59-31. Union led 59-33 entering the fourth quarter. 

Union continued to get contributions from different players at Leah Cauble started the scoring in the fourth quarter with her first 3-pointer of the contest. Then, at the 7:12 mark, Jacie Higgins scored her first points of the game with a 3-pointer, pushing Union's lead to 30 points, 68-38. Sally Howell hit a pair of 3-pointers, the first of her college career, late in the game to give Union the 33-point lead, its largest of the night.

Union was led by Lucas with 23 points. Kepenc and Little added 14 points for the Lady Bulldogs. Eleven players scored in the game. Union shot 49 percent from the field, 36 percent (12-33) from 3-point range, and 74 percent (14-19) from the free-throw line. 

Union outrebounded UWA 40-26 in the game, including 16-8 offensively. Union also won the turnover battle, committing 14 to the 19 miscues from the Tigers. 

West Alabama was led by Rios with 14 points and Dent with 12. The Tigers shot 38 percent from the field, 21 percent (4-19) from long range, and 75 percent (15-20) from the charity stripe. 

Up next for Union will be a pair of home games versus Mississippi College, Friday and Saturday, January 22-23. Live stats, video, and audio can be found at www.uuathletics.com/live. 

-UNION-