JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated the University of West Florida 72-38 at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 14-2 overall and 9-0 in the Gulf South Conference. West Florida dropped to 13-3 on the season and 8-2 in league play. 

Union is ranked No. 15 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 9 in the D2SIDA Media Poll. West Florida is receiving votes in the media poll.

The first quarter was played to a 15-15 tie. Union led for most of the quarter except for a 6-5 early lead for West Florida. Union's 5-2 lead was the biggest of the quarter following a 3-pointer from Bethany Dillard. Union's Shanique Lucas scored the first 13 points for West Florida in the quarter, while Union's Lucas scored 10 of her team's 15 points. 

West Florida opened the second quarter with 3-pointer to lead 18-15. Union rallied with a 14-4 run to lead 29-22 at the 5:07 mark. The two teams managed just six total points, 4-2 in favor of Union, over the last five minutes of the quarter. Samariah Thompson hit two free throws in the final minute to give union its largest lead of the half, 33-24, at the break. 

Union's Lucas scored 14 points in the first half, while UWF's Piller scored 15 points in the first 20 minutes. 

Union's Jaelencia Williams opened the third quarter with a quick basket to put the Lady Bulldogs up by double figures for the first time in the game, 35-24. Union scored the first six points and outscored UWF 23-7 in the third quarter to lead by 25 at the end of the third quarter. UWF scored an old fashion 3-point play with five second left, followed by a 3-pointer at the buzzer for Union's Lucas to set the score at 56-31.  

UWF led 22-20 at the 7:20 mark of the second quarter. From the remainder of the second quarter through the third quarter, Union outscored West Florida 36-9. 

Both teams were slow to start the final period. West Florida scored first with a bucket at the 8:10 mark. Union did not score until Ashtyn Baker hit her second 3-pointer of the game at the 5:26 mark. In the final minute, a 3-pointer from Leah Cauble and a layup by Sally Howell set the final score at 72-38, the largest lead of the game. 

After allowing 15 points in the first quarter, Union held West Florida to a total of 23 total points in the final three quarters. UWF hit just four field goals in the second half and was held to a season low 38 points in the game.

Union was led by Lucas with 19 points. Williams added 13 points, 11 of those in the second half. Bake scored 12 and Thompson added 10 points. Baker led with nine rebounds. Union shot 47 percent from the field, 35 percent (6-17) from 3-point range, and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. 

West Florida was led by Piller with 15 points, 13 coming in the first quarter. Ellmore scored seven points and hit her team's only two 3-pointers. The Argos shot 28 percent from the field, including just 14 percent in the second half. They were 14 percent (2-14) from long range and 46 percent (6-13) from the free throw line.

Up next for Union will be a second straight home contest against the second-place team in the GSC. First place Union will host second place Valdosta State Saturday at 2 p.m.

-UNION-