JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team lost 64-57 to the University of West Alabama Friday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union, ranked No. 20 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, dropped to 8-3 on the season and in Gulf South Conference West play. West Alabama improved to 6-3 overall and 5-3 in GSC play. 

Union shot just 12 percent (4-33) from 3-point range and were just 38 percent from the field. Despite the cold-shooting, Union led 20-14 at the end of the first quarter. However, West Alabama outscored Union 15-7 in the second quarter to take a 29-27 lead into the locker room. Union was just 1-of-18 from 3-point range in the first half. 

In the third quarter, West Alabama led by as many as five points, before Union tied the game 38-38 on a 3-pointer from Selale Kepenc. UWA answered and matched the five-point lead at the end of the quarter, 43-38. 

Union picked up some offensive momentum in the fourth quarter with 19 points but just could not overtake West Alabama. The Tigers never trailed in the fourth quarter and stretched their lead out to as many as 12 points, 58-46, with 3:37 left in the game. Union cut the lead down to seven points four times in the last three minutes, but West Alabama has an answer each time. 

Union was led by Kepenc with 17 points. Jaelencia Williams added 11 points and led with nine rebounds. Emily Beard scored 11 points and had three of Union's four made 3-pointers. In addition to the shooting struggles from the field, the Lady Bulldogs also missed opportunities at the free throw line, going just 7-13 (54%). 

West Alabama led in rebounds, 39-36, over Union. However, it was Union edging the Tigers 14-11 on the offensive glass. West Alabama won the turnover battle, committing 14 turnovers to 15 from Union. 

The Tigers were led by Tazsa Garrett-Hammett with 27 points. Bria Dent added 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Naelyn Rios added 12 points. The Tigers shot 37 percent from the field, 27 percent (4-15) from long range, and 77 percent (24-31) from the free throw line. 

Union defeated West Alabama twice, two weeks ago, in Livingston, Ala. by the scores of 87-68 and 88-55. 

The two teams will play for the fourth and final time in the regular season Saturday, January 30 at 3 p.m. at Union. Visit www.uuathletics.com/live for coverage information. 

-UNION-