Link to NCAA D2 South Region Tournament Webpage

DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Union University women's basketball team posted a 70-65 win over the University of Montevallo Friday night in the NCAA D2 National Championships Region Quarterfinals. Union, seeded fourth, improved to 19-5 on the year, while 5-seeded Montevallo ended its year at 14-7. 

Union moves on to the NCAA region semifinals for the third time in program history and will face the No. 1 and host, North Georgia, Saturday night at 4 p.m. Central time. Union is 2-0 in its previous two semifinal appearances. 

Union and Montevallo met in the Gulf South Conference semifinals just one week ago, with Union winning that game also, 68-66. 

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "Montevallo for the second straight week was one of the more difficult teams we have played all year. They cause problems for us with their pressure. However, I was very proud of our group being able to make plays when we needed them. WE have to learn quickly as we prepare to play one of the better teams in the country Saturday."

Despite turning the ball over 22 times, Union used 51 percent shooting from the field, including 43 percent shooting (6-14) from 3-point range to hold off the Falcons. Union also hit 16-of-20 free throws for 80 percent in the game. 

Shanique Lucas opened the game for Union with a 3-pointer on her way to a game-high 27 points. Kourtnie Smith of Montevallo answered with a 3-pointer and then Emily Beard hit a layup for Union to lead 5-3. Montevallo then scored seven straight points to lead 10-5, its largest lead of the game. Union outscored Montevallo 12-4 over the final five minutes of the first quarter to lead 17-14 at the end of one. 

In the second quarter, Montevallo led by as many as four points early, but Union responded again with a late quarter run to lead 31-25 at the half. 

Union maintained the lead for the entire third quarter, using a 3-pointer from Sadie Knee to open the quarter, giving Union its largest lead to this point, 34-25.  Montevallo rallied to get within two points, but Union quickly pushed the lead bak to eight points twice late in the period. A Falcon 3-poniter with five second left cut the Union lead to just five points, 50-45, entering the fourth. 

Montevallo scored first to cut the deficit to three points, but a 3-pointer from Emily Beard sparked a 5-0 run for the Lady Bulldogs to maintain control. Montevallo stayed within striking distance, but with 49 second left, Union's Jaelencia Williams hit a layup to put her team up 67-60, and seemingly in control. However, Montevallo hit a couple of free throws and a 3-pointer and with just 29 seconds left, only trailed Union by two points, 67-65. Union got a pair of free throws from Lucas and another one from Beard to seal the win, 70-65. 

Union was led by Lucas with 27 points. Williams added her 12th double-double of the season with 16 points and 21 rebounds. She matched her season and career high with the 21 rebounds. Beard finished with 12 points including three 3-pointers. 

Union outrebounded Montevallo 43-39. 

Montevallo was led by Kiya Sain with 22 points. Jordan Jones scored 18 points and Savannah Lee added 12 points. The Falcons shot 29 percent from the field, 29 percent (7-24) from 3-point range, and 82 percent (14-17) from the foul line. 

-UNION-