JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team rallied from down 16 down in the second quarter to defeat Valdosta State University 59-56 Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 15-2 overall and 10-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Valdosta State dropped to 14-3 on the season and 9-2 in league play. 

Union is ranked No. 15 in the latest WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 9 in the D2SIDA Medial Poll. Valdosta State is ranked No. 16 in the coaches' poll and No. 20 in the media poll. 

Union maintained its hold on the top spot in the league standings, now holding a 2-game lead in the loss column over Valdosta State (9-2) and Lee (7-2). 

This marked the seventh game this year with Union facing a ranked team, improving its record to 5-2 in those games. Union also extended its overall winning streak to 12 games and its home court winning streak to 14 straight wins. 

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "I am very proud of our team and their commitment to defend be ONE in some adverse circumstances. We  struggled in the second quarter due to Valdosta's execution on both ends of the floor. We came out in the the third and competed on both ends. This game will definitely be a moment in this season we can build upon. Our team used tonight and decided at half to compete at a high level. We were very fortunate to come out on top against a well coached and talented Valdosta team".

The game started slow with neither team scoring until a pair of Valdosta State free throws at the 8:10 mark. The first field goal of the game did not come until Union's Jaelencia Williams tied the contest at the 6:56 mark. VSU went up 8-2, but Union responded with 3-pointers from Bethany Dillard and Emily Beard Dunnagan. Union took a 10-8 lead and led again at 13-11 after a second 3-pointer from Dillard. However, it was VSU leading 14-13 at the end of the quarter. 

Adding to a 3-pointer from the end of the first quarter, Valdosta State opened the second quarter with a 3-poniter and a pair of layups to finish a 10-0 run, taking a 21-13 lead. After a Union timeout, Williams stopped the Union scoreless drought with a layup, but the Blazers scored on the next two possession to extend its lead to double figures, 25-15 with 5:11 left. VSU opened its lead with a dominating second quarter performance, outscoring Union 21-9 in the period. It would have been 21-6, had it not been for Dillard's third 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to set the deficit at 35-22. 

VSU shot 56 percent from the field, including 57 percent (4-7) from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes. Union was just 31 percent from the field but did manage 4-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. VSU led by as many as 16 points (35-19) in the second quarter.

Two of the biggest shots in the game were Dillard's 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer and then Ashtyn Baker's three to open the third quarter.  Those shots, along with a layup from Williams early in the third quarter cut the deficit to just eight points right away. Union used the third quarter to chip away with the help of six points each in the quarter form Baker and Williams. Union cut the deficit to just two points, 41-39, following a layup form Samariah Thompson in the final seconds of the quarter. Union outscored VSU 17-6 in the quarter. 

Both teams opened the fourth quarter hot, VSU maintain the small lead. Union pulled to within one point, as close as it had been since the first quarter, following a 3-pointer from Shanique Lucas with 4:59 left in the game. 

Then, with 3:40 left to play, a layup from Williams gave Union the lead, 51-50, its first lead since the first quarter. The teams swapped buckets on the next seven possessions, ending with Union leading 57-56 with 22.2 seconds left. VSU took the ball and drew a foul, however, missed both free throws with 7.8 seconds left to play. Union freshman Dillard was then fouled and drained two free throws with 5.7 seconds left, giving Union a 59-56 lead. VSU missed on its final shot to tie.

Union scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to complete the rally. Union shot 55 percent from the field in the second half, including 50 percent (5-10) from 3-point range. 

Union was led by Williams with 18 points. Dillard finished with 11 points including three 3-pointers and the two free throws at the end of the game. Beard Dunnagan added nine points on three 3-pointers. Baker posted a great stat line with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Union shot 42 percent from the field, 45 percent (9-20) from 3-point range, and 83 percent (10-12) from the free throw line. 


Valdosta State was led by Farrar with 19 points. Francis and Heyn added 11 each. The Blazers shot 48 percent from the field, 46 percent (5-11) from three-point range, and 36 percent (3-8) from the free throw line. 

Union won the rebound battle 30-26 and committed just nine turnovers to 12 from VSU. 

Up next for Union will be a pair of road games, January 27 and 29 at West Alabama and Auburn Montgomery. 

-UNION-