JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball defeated Lee University 79-76 Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee dropped to 7-1 on the season and 0-1 in league play. 

Both teams entered the game ranked nationally. Lee was No. 16 in the WBCA Coaches Poll and No. 8 in the D2SIDA Media Poll. Union was No. 20 in the WBCA Coaches Poll. For Union, it was the fifth top-25 matchup of the season. Union is 3-2 in those games with the losses coming on the road at top-15 teams.  

After a fast start by Lee, leading 5-0 and again 10-5, the teams settled into a 17-17  tie with 2:27 left in the first quarter. Union closed the quarter with a 9-2 run to lead 26-19 after one.

Union continued to pull away in the second quarter, pushing its lead to as many as 20 points, 41-21 with 3:34 left. Lee trimmed Union's lead to 17, 43-26, at the half. 

In the second half, Lee slowly chipped away at Union's lead. Union held at 54-42 lead at the end of the third quarter. Lee got as close as seven points with 1:42 left to play, following a 3-pointer from Haley Schubert. However, Union hit 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to seal the win. 

Union had four players in double figures led by freshman Bethany Dillard with 17 points, including 5-of-9 shooting from long range. Ashtyn Baker and Jaelencia Williams added 15 points each, while Shanique Lucas had 14 points and team-highs with seven rebounds and three blocks. Baker led with seven assists. Emily Beard Dunnagan added nine points on three 3-pointers. Union shot 48 percent from the field, 60 percent (12-20) from long range, and 77 percent (13-17) from the free throw line.  

Lee was led by Schubert with a game-high 20 points. Halle Hughes added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Hannah Garrett scored 15 points. The Lady Flames shot 46 percent from the field, 36 percent (8-22) from 3-point range, and 54 percent (7-13) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be another home GSC matchup, versus Shorter University, Saturday, December 4 at 2 p.m.

-UNION-