Link to 2021 GSC Women's Basketball Tournament Page

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Union University women's basketball team earned a 70-56 win over Lee University in the 2021 Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball Championship game. Union improved to 18-5 on the season, while Lee dropped to 15-7 overall. With the win, Union earned the GSC's automatic bid to the region tournament next week in Dahlonega, Ga. Lee is expected to advance to the regionals with an at-large bid. 

This was the second straight GSC Tournament Title for Union's women and fourth (2015, 2018, 2020, 2021) since becoming postseason eligible in 2015-16. Union is now 4-1 in GSC title games, the lone loss coming in 2016. It is the program's 29 conference tournament title overall. 

Prior to picking up the championship trophy in the postgame ceremonies, Union had two players earn GSC All-Tournament honors including Shanique Lucas and Jaelencia Williams. For Williams, it was her second straight GSC All-Tournament honor. Lucas was also named the GSC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Before the game, Union also earned some hardware as senior guard Elli Pratt was named the GSC Champion Scholar, an award given to the participant at the GSC Championships final site with the highest GPA. 

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "The journey with each team is so different and this team, like so many others around the country dealt with everything this year with a determination. I am ver proud of the effort to get better these last few weeks. Everyone seems together and nobody cares who gets the credit. As a coach it brings me a lot of joy to watch them love each other!"

The championship game started with a 3-pointer from Lee's Hannah Garrett, answered by a 3-pointer from Union's Selale Kepenc. Garrett hit another 3-pointer, followed by a 3-pointer from Julia Duncan and Lee led 9-3 at the 7:25 mark. Union took over from that point. The Lady Bulldogs outscored Lee 14-0 over the rest of the first quarter to lead 17-9 at the end of 10 minutes. 

Lee cut its deficit to two points in the second quarter, but Union quickly pushed back up to double figures. Union led by as many as 12 points in second quarter, before taking the 36-27 lead into the locker room. 

In the second half, Union opened its scoring with a 3-pointer from Kepenc, just as she did to start the game. Union continued to add to the lead and held its largest lead of the game, 18 points, three different times in the third quarter. The final time was 53-35 with 2:09 left in the period. 

Union entered the fourth quarter with 13-point lead. Lee did not go away, cutting into the Union lead. Union went the final two minutes of the third quarter and the first three minutes of the fourth quarter without a point. Lucas stopped the drought with a layup to give Union a 55-46 lead with just over seven minutes left to play. Lee got another 3-pointer from Garrett to cut the deficit to six points, 55-49, with 6:28 left in the game. Union stopped the Lee rallied in its tracks and over the next two minutes, pushed the advantage back to double figures following a 3-pointer from Sadie Knee. Jaelencia Williams hit a layup, then made two free throws on the next possession giving Union 13-point lead with a minute left. Lucas added a late free throw to set the final at 70-56

Union was consistent in the win, scoring 17 points in the first, third, and fourth quarters, and 19 points in the second quarter. Union won each quarter of play. Union committed 19 turnovers in the game, but dominated the boards, 39-23. 

Union was led by Lucas with 26 points and 10 rebounds and was 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Williams also added a double-double, her 11th of the year, with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Kepenc added nine points on three 3-pointers. Knee and Emily Beard also added 3-pointers in the win. Union shot an impressive 56 percent from the field, including 48 percent (10-21) from long range. Union was 10-of-13 (77%) from the free throw line. 

Lee was led by Garrett with 27 points, hitting five 3-pointers in 17 attempts. Duncan added 10 points. The Lady Flames shot 28 percent from the field, 27 percent (10-37) from long range, and 88 percent (14-16) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be the region tournament starting, Friday, March 12. The NCAA Selection Show is set for Sunday night, March 7 at 9 p.m. Central time at www.ncaa.com. Union will find out who they play in the first round. The schedule will be updated at www.uuathletics.com as soon as the information is made available. 

-UNION-