JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost for the first time this season, a 72-66 loss to Cumberland University. Union fell to 8-1 overall, while Cumberland is 6-2 on the season.

Union is ranked No. 18 in this week's NABC Coaches' Poll and No. 15 in the D2SIDA Media Poll.

Union scored first on a basket from Jeremiah Littlepage and pushed out to an 8-5 lead. Union led again, 15-14 with 9:15 left after a layup from Tyree Boykin. Then Cumberland took control momentarily. The Phoenix outscored Union 13-1, including a 10-0 stretch to lead 27-16 with 6:59 left.

Union answered with a rally of its own, closing out the half with a 15-5 run to pull to within on point at the half, 32-21. However, Union was never able to regain a lead in the game.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half with Union at 38 percent and Cumberland at 32 percent. 

Cumberland prevented Union from continuing the momentum from the first half. After back-to-back 3-pointers, Cumberland had pushed its lead back to 11 points, 53-42 with 12 minutes left in the game. 

Union mounted several rallies and with 2:02 left in the game, a 3-pointer from Boykin pulled Union to within five points, 63-58. However, each time Union got close, Cumberland had an answer. Cumberland pushed out to its largest lead of the game, 70-58, with 1:20 left following a 7-0 run. 

Union kept fighting. Following back-to-back 3-pointers, Union again closed the gap to six points, 70-64, with 52 seconds left. Cumberland hit free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
 
Union was led by Boykin with 27 points including five 3-pointers. Hunter Vick scored 18 points. Tylandrius Parks led with 11 rebounds. Union shot 37 percent from the field, 29 percent (9-31) from 3-point range, and 58 percent (11-19) from the foul line. 

Cumberland had five players in double figures led by King with 17 points. Byrd and Ridley added 12 points, while Stephens and Negron scored 10 points each. The Phoenix shot 43 percent from the field, 33 percent (7-21) from long range, and 76 percent (13-17) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union is a GSC home game Saturday, December 11 at 4 p.m. versus Christian Brothers University. 

-UNION-