JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball team posted a victory against Delta State University Saturday night, 75-69. Union improved to 9-5 on the season and in the Gulf South Conference while Delta State improved to 4-7 overall and in conference play.
Union won 3-of-4 games in this year's four-game regular season series against Delta State.
Delta State opened the game with a good two point jumper. However, Union responded with a jumper by Hunter Vick, and a three pointer from JC Hawkins to give the Bulldogs a 5-2 lead. Union reached its largest lead in the first half of seven points with 4:41 left in the half with two free throws from Jeremiah Littlepage. Union led at the half, 36-33. Union shot 50% from the field in the first half making 13 of its 26 attempts, and were 3-of-9 from three point range.
The Bulldogs scored the first four points of the second half thanks to two layups by Dusan Djordjevic. The Bulldogs reached their seven point differential again with 19:03 remaining in the game, and it proved to be the largest lead of the game for either team. Midway through the second half the Statesmen closed the gap to one point, and with 7:25 left they tied the game at 57-57. The lead went back-and-forth from that point on, getting only as big as four points. The game was tied again at 65-65 with only 2:47 to go in regulation. The teams swapped baskets, including a fadeaway jumper from Vick and a driving layup from Tylandrius Parks. Union's defense was able to get a couple late stops and two free throws from Vick to seal the 75-69 win.
Union was led by Vick with 22 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Parks was a rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points, and nine rebounds; the nine rebounds led the team in that category. Freshman point guard Justin DeBuck added 13 points, four rebounds, and one assists, and Dusan Djordjevic scored 10 points. On senior night, lone senior JC Hawkins contributed in several ways, scoring five points with three rebounds, and leading the team with five assists. Union shot 48 percent from the field, 15 percent (2-13) from three, and 80 percent (21-26) from the charity stripe.
Delta State was led by Maalik Cartwright with 28 points and six rebounds. Both Kelen Dietrich and Airen Brooks added 11 points, Brooks led the team in rebounds with seven. The Statesmen shot 58 percent from the field, 29 percent (5-17) from three, and 66 percent (8-12) from the free throw line.
Up next for the Bulldogs are two road matchups against The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Those games will start on Friday, February 19 at 6 p.m., and Saturday, February 20 at 3 p.m.
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