JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball outlasted Lee University in the Gulf South Conference opener 60-57 Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in league play. Lee dropped to 3-3 on the season and 0-1 in league play.

Union entered the game ranked No. 18 in the D2SIDA Media Poll and was just one spot out of the NABC Top-25 in the No. 26 position. 

Through the 7-0 start for Union, the Bulldogs have held all seven opponents to 69 points or less. Union has also shot a better field goal percentage in all seven games. 

This game was close from the start, featuring 10 ties and 11 lead changes. The largest lead held by either team was five points. Lee led Union 36-31 with 16:15 left in the game, while Union's largest lead was three points a several occasions, including the 60-57 final.

The game was tied 52-52 with 3:18 left in the game. After almost two minutes of no scoring, Union's Tyree Boykin hit a 3-pointer with 1:40 left to play. Then just 20 seconds late, Lee tied the game with its own 3-pointer. Union's Boe Nguidjol sank two free throws putting his team back on top. Lee again tied the game on its next possession with 34 seconds remaining. 

After a Union timeout, the Bulldogs held the ball as late as possible. Then with five seconds left and the shot clock almost at zero, Union's Tylandrius Parks scored and was fouled. His free throw gave Union the 60-57 lead. Lee's final 3-point attempt was no good. 

After a back-and-forth first half, Lee took a 30-28 lead into the break following a Jayce Willingham layup at the buzzer. 

Union was led by Parks with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Boykin added 12 points with three 3-pointers and Nguidjol scored 10 points. The Bulldogs shot 44 percent from the field, 33 percent (6-18) from 3-point range, and 75 percent (6-8) from the free throw line. 

Lee was led by Willingham with 18 points. Quay Kennedy added 11 points and Beyuan Hendricks scored 10 points. The Flames shot 42 percent from the field, 26 percent (6-23) from long range, 78 percent (7-9) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union is a home conference game, Saturday, December 4 at 4 p.m. versus Shorter University. Listen locally on 101.5 FM or listen/watch online at www.uuathletics.com/coverage.

-UNION-