CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Union University women's basketball team lost 62-60 in back-and-forth game at Delta State University Saturday afternoon. Union dropped to 12-4 overall and in Gulf South Conference West play. Delta State improved to 6-9 on the season and in league play.

Union and Delta State split the four-game season series, both teams winning once at home and once on the road. Union won Friday's game, 78-62. 

Similar to Friday's game, Delta State controlled the first quarter, jumping out to a 14-9 lead by the quarter's end. But again, like Friday, Union responded with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Lady Statesmen 16-4. Union led 25-18 at the half. DSU led Union 18-17 with three minutes left in the third quarter, but Union scored the final eight points of the quarter to take the lead into the locker room.

Delta State came alive in the third quarter, taking control. After scoring just 18 points in the first half, DSU scored 25 points in the third quarter. At the end of three, the game was tied 43-43.

The fourth quarter was close all the way. Union's largest lead of the fourth quarter was three points, while DSU managed a four-point lead once. Union led 58-55 with 5:22 left in the game following a Sadie Knee jumper. Delta State took the lead 59-58 and then after a made three-pointer, led Union 62-58 with 1:39 left. Union got two free throws from Shanique Lucas with 39 seconds left to get Union to within one point. Union got the defensive stop it needed on the next possession but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Union went the final 5:22 of the game without a field goal.

Union was led by Lucas with 26 points. Jaelencia Williams added 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Lady Bulldogs shot 39 percent from the field, 18 percent (3-17) from long range, and 83 percent (15-18) from the free throw line.

Delta State outrebounded Union 41-37, including 11-4 offensively.

Delta State was led by Brown with 14 points. Buford added 13 points, including her only three pointer of the night, the final points for her team in the win. Hicks scored 12 points and Ewing led with 13 rebounds. The Lady Statesmen shot 38 percent from the field, 21 percent (3-14) from 3-point range, and 78 percent (7-9) from the free throw line.

Up next for Union will be its first home games in two weeks, a pair of games versus Alabama Huntsville, Friday and Saturday, February 19-20. Purchase tickets at www.uuathletics.com/tickets.

-UNION-