JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated Shorter 76-58 Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Shorter dropped to 1-5 on the season and 0-2 in league play. 

Union is ranked No. 20 in this week's WBCA Coaches' Poll.

Emily Beard Dunnagan hit three 3-pointers for Union in the first quarter including her first two. Union never trailed but managed just an 18-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

A 3-pointer from freshman Bethany Dillard with 5:58 left in the first half, gave Union its first double-figure lead of the night, 31-21. Beard's fourth 3-pointer of the half gave Union its largest lead of the half, 42-28, which ended up being the halftime score. 

Beard Dunnagan finished with 14 first-half points, including those four 3-pointers. Ashtyn Baker for Union scored 10 points in the half, all coming in the second quarter. 

Union put the game out of reach with a dominant third quarter, highlighted by a 15-0 run from the 4:53 mark to the 1:44 mark. The run pushed Union's lead to 61-32, its largest of the game. Shorter outscored Union 22-15 in the fourth quarter to cut down the deficit. 

Union stole the ball 17 times in the game and produced 31 points off turnovers. 

Union was led by Baker with 18 points and Beard with 14 points. Eleven players scored for Union in the game. The Lady Bulldogs shot 49 percent from the field, 40 percent (8-20) from 3-point range, and 74 percent (20-27) from the free throw line. 


Shorter was led by Gaines with 15 points and Howard with 10 points. The Lady Hawks shot 40 percent from the field, 29 percent (4-14) from long range, and 73 (16-22) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be a home non-conference game versus Rust College, Thursday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. Listen locally on 101.5 FM or watch/listen online at www.uuathletics.com/coverage. 

-UNION-