JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team posted a 79-49 win over the University of West Georgia Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union, ranked No. 6 in both national polls this week, improved to 3-0 overall and 3-0 in the Gulf South Conference. West Georgia dropped to 3-3 on the season and 2-1 in league play. 

Union exploded out of the gate, jumping out to a 9-0 lead, including five straight point to start from Samariah Thompson. Union led by as many as 14 in the first quarter including the end of the quarter score of 25-11 following a 3-pointer from Lauren West. Thompson helped Union continue the momentum as she started the second quarter scoring with her second 3-pointer of the game. Union extended its lead to as many as 25 in the second quarter, 36-11. West Georgia mounted a 7-0 run to cut into the lead, but was down by 20, 41-21 at the half. 

Union shot 57 percent (8-14) from 3-point range in the first half and 57 percent from the field overall. Union scored 20 points off 16 West Georgia first half turnovers. 

As in both of the first two quarters, Union scored first in the third. Ally Winnen for Union scored the first three points of the third quarter, on a free throw followed by a layup, pushing Union's lead to 44-21. Union outscored West Georgia 22-14 in the third quarter. And for the fourth time in the game, Union scored first in the quarter, as Naomi Van Ness scored for Union to open the fourth quarter. Union outscored West Georgia 16-14 in the fourth quarter. 

Union's largest lead was 35 points, 77-42 with 3:20 left in the game. Union scored 30 points off 26 West Georgia turnovers in the game. 

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "I thought our energy early on was very good and it got us started. We have a long way to go in learning what we are trying to do, but I do not question our effort. I'm proud of our effort tonight."
 
Union was led by Samariah Thompson with 13 points including 3-for-3 from long range. Shanique Lucas scored 10 points, while 11 other Lady Bulldogs found the scoring column. Lauren West and Leah Cauble both added nine points each. West was also 3-for-3 from 3-point range. The Lady Bulldogs hot 53 percent from the field, 40 percent (10-25) from 3-point range, and 64 percent (9-14) from the free throw line. 

West Georgia was led by Torres with 11 points and Washington with eight points. The Wolves shot 33 percent from the field, 17 percent (2-12) from long range, and 62 percent (21-34) from the free throw line. Twenty-one of West Georgia's 49 points came from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union is its first non-conference game of the year, Monday, November 28 at 6 p.m. at home versus Trevecca Nazarene. 

-UNION-