JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 69-66 to Christian Brothers University Friday night in a heartbreaker. Union dropped to 10-7 overall and 10-7 in the Gulf South Conference West division. Christian Brothers improved to 3-10 overall and in league play. 

With 1.6 seconds left on the clock, CBU's Aiden Ruthsatz took a re-direction pass from Daniel Loos and banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Bucs to a 69-66 win. The final score was only the second lead of the game for the Bucs. CBU led 5-2 early in the game. 

Union led by nine points five different times in the second half. The final time was 60-51 with 6:37 left in the game. CBU scored six straight points to cut the deficit to three, 60-57. Union's Ousmane Gueye stopped to the run with a jumper to put Union up 62-57 with 4:45 left. Four straight points from Loos got CBU to within one point, 62+61, but Union's Hunter Vick hit a driving layup to give Union the 64-61 lead with 1:13 left. On the next possession, Jessie Payne hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to tie the game at 64 all with 49 seconds left. Union's Justin Debuck and CBU's Loos swapped baskets over the next possessions to give Union the ball with nine seconds left to go for the win. However, a Union turnover on a bad pass gave the ball back to CBU with 1.6 seconds left. 

After trailing 5-2 early, Union took the lead early in the first half and led by as many as six points. The Bulldogs were up 29-26 at the half. 

Union's loss, accompanied by the West Alabama win delayed Bulldogs' chance to clinch a 2-seed and a home game in the GSC Quarterfinals next week. Union needs to win Saturday, or have West Alabama lose, to get the 2-seed. Union has already clinched a spot in the tournament. 

Union Debuck with 16 points and Vick with 14 points. Ousmane Gueye added 12 points. Tylandrius Parks and Gueye led with seven rebounds each. With his seven boards, Parks surpassed the 500 career rebounds mark. Union shot 58 percent from the field, 31 percent (5-16) from 3-point range, and 60 percent (3-5) from the foul line. 

Union outrebounded CBU 23-22 but committed 16 turnovers to the 13 miscues from the Bucs. 

CBU was led by Loos with 16 points and Daryl Lewis with 15 points. Christian Jones added 12 and the hero Ruthsatz scored 11 points on three 3-pointers. 

The same two teams will close out the regular season Saturday at 3 p.m. Union is playing for a home game in next week's GSC Tournament. Listen on 101.5 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/live. Purchase tickets at www.uuathletics.com/tickets. 

-UNION-