JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted a 112-86 win over Valdosta State University Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 15-4 overall and a league best 9-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Valdosta State dropped to 9-9 overall and 5-6 in league play. 

The 112 points is the most points scored for Union's men since joining the Gulf South in 2012-13. The previous high mark was 109 mark twice in that span. It is the most points scored in a game overall since Union put up 129 in a win over Central Baptist College, Nov. 11, 2011 in the last season of NAIA play. 

Valdosta State jumped out to an early 6-3 lead over Union. The Bulldogs responded with a 9-0 run to lead 12-6 with 15:26 left in the half. A slam by Boe Nguidjol at the 13:41 mark give Union its first double digit lead of the night, 20-10. Following a 3-pointer from Tyree Boykin with 4:29 left in the half, Union held its largest lead of the first half, 48-27. VSU chipped away and cut the Union lead to 52-40. 

The second half started with VSU draining a 3-pointer to cut Union's lead down to single digits at 52-43. Union responded with a layup from Tylandrius Parks to push the lead back to double figures where it stayed the rest of the night. A 4-point play from Union's Tyree Boykin gave the Bulldogs exactly 100 points and pushed the lead to 26, 100-74, with 4:17 left in the game. Union's largest lead was 27 points on two different occasions, before taking the 26-point final, 112-86.

Boykin scored 20 of his game-high 30 points in the second half including six 3-pointers to help Union pull away. It was also Boykin's season high point total. He was 7-of-11 in the game from long range. Nguidjol added 24 points and Justin Debuck scored 22 points including 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Tylandrius Parks added 10 points, and in doing so, passed 1,000 points for his career. The Bulldogs shot 54 percent from the field, 54 percent (15-28) from long range, and 91 percent (19-21) from the free throw line. 

Valdosta State was led by Owens and Gordon with 18 points each. Selders added 13 and Hamilton scored 12. Cole led with a game high 10 rebounds. The Blazers shot 44 percent from the field, 25 percent (5-20) from long range, and 68 percent (17-25) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be two road conference games, January 27 and 29 at West Alabama and Auburn Montgomery. 

-UNION-