JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball earned a 79-75 win over the University of Central Missouri Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 2-1 on the season, while Central Missouri dropped to 3-3. 

Union is ranked No. 19 in the WBCA Coaches' Preseason Poll, while Central Missouri is No. 6. In the D2SIDA Media Poll, Central Missouri is ranked No. 24, while Union dropped out of this week's poll.

It was a tale of two halves for the two nationally-ranked squads. Union dominated the first half, leading 45-30 at the half. Union scored 25 points in the first quarter and 20 more in the second quarter. 

Union shot 55 percent from the field in the first half, while Central Missouri shot an impressive 71 percent (15-21) from the field in the second half, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. 

In the second half, Union went up by 17 points twice early in the third quarter, its largest lead of the game. With four minutes left in the third quarter, Union still led by 15 points, the same lead as halftime. 

However, Central Missouri started a rally and by the end of the quarter, had cut Union's lead to 62-54. The Jennies got to within five points at 70-65, but Union pushed the lead back up to double figures, 75-65, with 3:34 left. 

Then, Central Missouri made one last push, posting a 10-0 run to tie the game at 75-75 with 57 seconds left. After Union timeout, Shanique Lucas put the Lady Bulldogs back on top with a layup with 31 seconds left. Following a Central Missouri turnover and foul, Lucas made one of two free throws with 11 seconds left. Central Missouri, still with time left, turned the ball over again. Emily Beard Dunnagan hit one-of-two free throws to seal the win with two seconds left. 

Union never trailed after early in the first quarter when Central Missouri had a couple of 3-point leads. 

Union had seven players score in the game, all with at least seven points and five in double figures. Ashtyn Baker led Union with 20 points and 3-of-3 shooting from behind the arc. Bethany Dillard scored 12, Jaelencia Williams added 11 points and nine rebounds, while both Lucas and Bailey Augustine added 10 points each. Union shot 49 percent from the field, 42 percent (10-24) from long range, and 64 percent (9-18) from the free-throw line. 

Central Missouri played just seven players with all 75 points coming from the starting five. Brooke Littrell led all scorers with 24 points and completed a double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds. Nija Collier added 20 points, Charley Bovaird 15 points, and Olivia Nelson 14 points. The Jennies shot 51 percent from the field, 42 percent (11-26) from 3-point range, and 89 percent (16-18) from the free-throw line. 

Up next for Union will be two more ranked opponents in its stretch of four straight games versus ranked teams. Union will travel to Drury University for its Thanksgiving Classic, playing No. 23 Truman State Tuesday at 1 p.m. and No. 2/3 Drury Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Listen to Gerry Neese on 101.5 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/coverage. 
-UNION-