CLINTON, Miss. - The Union University women's basketball team posted a 69-56 win at Mississippi College Friday night. Union, ranked No. 21 in the D2SIDA Media Poll and receiving votes in the first WBCA Coaches' Poll of the season, improved to 10-3 overall and in Gulf South Conference West play. Mississippi College dropped to 3-7 on the season and in league play. 

Union scored first with a basket from Jaelencia Williams. The Lady Bulldogs held a slim lead over the first six minutes, leading 10-9. Union outscored Mississippi College 11-2 over the final four minutes of the quarter to lead 21-11. A 3-pointer from Leah Cauble was a part of the Union run. Mississippi College rallied back in the second quarter, outscoring Union 18-10 in the period. MC never took the lead, but pulled to within two points, 31-29, at the half. 

Union stormed out of the locker room and outscored Mississippi College 20-4 over the first six minutes of the quarter, including a 9-0 run to start. Union led 51-33 with 3:24 left. Union Jordan Little hit three 3-pointers in the stretch to give Union control. MC again rallied with a 7-0 run to close the period, cutting Union's lead to 51-40. 

In the fourth quarter, Shanique Lucas scored the first four points, pushing Union's lead up to 55-40, with just under nine minutes left in the game. However, MC playing on its home floor refused to go away quietly. Mississippi College cut the Union lead to single digits with a layup with 5:45 left to play, 57-48. Union again led by 14 points, but a quick 5-0 run, capped by a three pointer, put the Union lead back in single digits, 63-54, with 2:51 left. Both teams went scoreless for the next two minutes. Then with 48 second remaining, Union scored for the first time since the 4:10 mark with a pair of free throws from Sadie Knee. Union again led by double digits, 65-54. Union stole the ball on the next MC possession and Little promptly hit two free throws. After layup from the Choctaws, Knee hit two free throws to set the final score at 69-56. 

Union was led by Williams with 19 points and 14 rebounds, both game highs. Little scored 14 points with those three big 3-pointers early in the third quarter that proved to be the difference in the game. Lucas added 14 points. Union shot 46 percent from the field, 21 percent (4-19) from long range, and 76 percent (19-25) from the foul line. 

Union won the battle of the boards, 33-29, including 14-12 on the offensive glass. Turnovers were close with Union's 14 edging MC's 15. 

Mississippi College was led by Canady with 14 points and Julian with 12 points. The Choctaws shot 39 percent from the field, 32 percent (6-19) from 3-point range, and 67 percent (10-15) from the free throw line. 

These two teams will play for the fourth and final time in the regular season Saturday, February 6 in Clinton. Union has won all three meetings to this point of the season versus MC. 


-UNION-