LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The Union University men's basketball team posted an 88-80 victory at the University of West Alabama. Union improved to 16-4 overall and a league best 10-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Alabama dropped to 15-4 on the season and 9-3 in league play. 

West Alabama is ranked No. 25 in the NABC Coaches' Poll. Union and West Alabama were tied for first place entering the contest. Union now has a game lead over West Florida and West Alabama in the standings.

Union had five players in double figures in the game and led for much of the contest. Union's largest lead was nine points with 5:25 left and again with 27 seconds left to play. Union led by as many as five several times in the first half, including the 41-36 halftime advantage.

West Alabama stayed close in the second half and took its largest lead of the night, 59-56 with 11:58 left to play. Union responded with an 8-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Tyree Boykin to push its lead back to five points, 64-59, with 12:33 left. Union never trailed again. Union was 5-of-6 from 3-point range in the second half.

Union was 6-of-7 from the free throw line in the final 39 seconds to seal the win. 

Union was led by Boykin with 27 points, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Fifteen of Boykin's points came in the first half. Boe Nguidjol added 19 points, 11 of which came in the second half. Tylandrius Parks scored 11, Jeremiah Littlepage added 11 points, and Hunter Vick scored 10 points. Vick and Parks led Union with eight rebounds each. Union shot 49 percent from the field, 59 percent (10-17) from 3-point range, and 83 percent (20-24) from the free throw line. 

West Alabama was led by Kortrijk Miles with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Shardarrion Allen added 19 and Justin Allison scored 16 points. The Tigers shot 44 percent from the free throw line, 29 percent (5-17) from 3-point range, and 91 percent (21-23) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be a road game at Auburn Montgomery, Saturday, January 29th at 4 p.m.

-UNION-