JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated Rust College 78-44 Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 7-2 on the season, while Rust dropped to 13-3. 

Union is ranked No. 18 in this week's WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 16 in the D2SIDA Media Poll. 

Union opened the game with 16 straight points, the run starting with a 3-pointer each from Bethany Dillard and Emily Beard Dunnagan. Rust got three 3-pointer, two from Jasmine Coleman to cut Union's early lead to 20-9. Union led 24-13 at the end of the first quarter. 

The second quarter started with another big run for Union. Three 3-pointers, two from Dillard and one from Dunnigan, made up most of the 11-1 start. Union stretched its lead to 45-27 at the half.

Three-pointers from Ashtyn Baker and Beard opened the second half for Union. Union extended its lead to 30 points, 61-31, following two free throws from Kieli Robinson. Union led 63-31 after three quarters. Rust managed just 4 points in the third quarter.

For the fourth straight quarter, Union's first points of the quarter came from a 3-pointer, this time from freshman Shylee Morrison. Union pushed its lead to the largest of the night was 37 points, three different times late in the fourth quarter.

Union was led by Dillard and Beard Dunnigan with 12 points each. Both players hit four 3-pointers in the game. Jaelencia Williams added 10 points. Shanique Lucas led with six assists, while Williams led with seven rebounds. Union shot 47 percent from the field, 41 percent (12-29) from 3-point range, and 90 percent (18-20). 

Rust was led by Coleman with 10 points and P. Johnson with seven points. The Bearcats shot 28 percent from the field, 20 percent (5-25) from long range, and 64 percent (7-11) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be a GSC home game versus Christian Brothers University, Saturday, December 11 at 2 p.m. 

-UNION-