JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team posted a 58-48 victory Saturday afternoon over the University of West Alabama. Union improved to 9-3 on the season and in the Gulf South Conference West. West Alabama dropped to 6-4 overall and 5-4 in league play.
Union lost to UWA last Friday night at home, but with Saturday's win, took the regular season series versus the Tigers, 3-1. Union swept UWA on the road two weeks ago. All three Union wins were by double figures including wins of 10 points, 19 points, and 33 points.
Saturday's game stared with Union controlling the first quarter, jumping out to an 18-6 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes. Union added to its lead in the second quarter, pushing out to a 15-point advantage at the half, 35-20.
In the third quarter, West Alabama outscored Union 15-9 and got as close as six points in the quarter. Union opened the fourth quarter with a jumper by
Shanique Lucas to regain an 11-point lead. Union maintained a comfortable lead for the first half of the fourth quarter and after an
Emily Beard three pointer with 6:05 left, Union again led by 11 points, 51-40. But UWA refused to go away. After two free throws with three minutes left, the Tigers had cut the Union lead to just three points, 51-48. Union finally ended its near five-minute scoring drought in the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from
Selale Kepenc to give Union a six-point cushion with just over a minute to play. Union made free throws late to earn the 10-point win.
Union was led by
Jaelencia Williams with 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Emily Beard scored 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three.
Selale Kepenc added 11 points. Union shot 36 percent from the field, 32 percent (11-34) from long range, and 55 percent (11-20) from the free throw line.
Union outrebounded UWA 37-25 and also won the turnover battle, 11 miscues to 13 from the Tigers.
West Alabama was led by Brian Dent with 14 points and nine rebounds. Jala Williams added 13 points. The Tigers shot 33 percent from the field, 25 percent (6-24) from 3-point range, and 43 percent (6-14) from the foul line.
Up next for Union is a pair of road games at Mississippi College, February 5-6. Visit
www.uuathletics.com/live for coverage options.
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