HAMMOND, Ind. - The Union University men's basketball team posted an 83-66 win at Purdue University Northwest. Union improved to 6-0 overall, while Purdue Northwest dropped to 2-4 on the season.

The fast start has drawn national attention as Union is receiving votes, flirting with top-25 rankings, in both national polls. Union is just one point out of the NABC Coaches' Poll top-25 in the 26th spot. Union is also receiving votes in the D2SIDA Media Poll in the 29th spot. 

The game started slow for Union, getting down 6-1 early and missing the first six shots. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Boe Nguidjol and Hunter Vick put Union up 7-6, but Union was still having trouble getting into the flow, falling behind 22-13 with 9:40 left in the half. 

Then, over the final nine minutes of the half, Union outscored Purdue Northwest 33-16 to take control. 

JC Clausi drained a 3-pointer that seemed to spark the Bulldogs. Union tied the game at 29-29 with 4:27 left in the half and continued to push, taking its largest lead of the half, 45-36 with 48 seconds left. Union led 45-38 going into the locker room.  

Purdue Northwest hit a 3-pointer to open the second half, cutting Union's lead to four points. However, that was as close as Purdue Northwest got. Union maintained a solid 7-10 point lead for most of the second half. Then, a 3-point play by Union's Tyree Boykin put Union up by 12, 74-62, with 6:03 left to play. The lead stayed in double figures the rest of the way. Union's largest lead was the 17-point final.

Union was led by Tyree Boykin with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Hunter Vick scored 21 points while Tylandrius Parks added 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Union shot 48 percent from the field, 42 pecent (10-24) from 3-point range, and 69 percent (6-11) from the free throw line.

Purdue Northwest was led Anthony Irvin with 13 points. The Pride shot 33 percent from the field, 26 percent (9-35) from long range, and 69 percent (6-11) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be the first GSC game of the season, a home matchup December 2 versus Lee University at 7:30 p.m.

-UNION-