JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team dropped a home contest to McKendree University 69-58 at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union dropped to 3-2 overall, while McKendree improved to 2-2. 

McKendree and Union swapped early baskets setting the score at 4-4. However, McKendree drained three straight 3-pointers, two from Eric Powell, to take a 13-4 lead forcing a Union timeout. McKendree led by as many as 10 points, 15-5, in the first half before Union started to rally. Union chipped away and after a pair of free throws from Jalen Johnson, Union took its first lead, 24-23. However, that was the only lead of the night for Union. The Bulldogs tied the game 26-26 just before the half, but McKendree put back an offensive rebound late in the final seconds to lead 28-26 at the break. 

In the second half, Union got as close as three, but just could not string together anything offensively. McKendree extended its lead to as many as 13 points, 69-56, late in the game. 

Union's defense was strong in the game, forcing 14 turnovers, and Union outrebounded McKendree 36-35, including 11-7 offensively. Union however struggled from the field, shooting just 30 percent from the field and only 10 percent (2-20) from long range. 

Union was led by Tylandrius Parks with 18 points and Justin Debuck with 13 points. Boe Nguidjol recorded his third double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

McKendree had five players in double figures, led by Eric Powell with 15 points including four 3-pointers. The Bearcats shot 46 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range, including 50 percent from the field and 3-point range in the second half. 

Up next for Union will be a GSC home game, Saturday, November 26 at 4 p.m. following the women's game. 

-UNION-