JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team topped Illinois Wesleyan University 86-85 Saturday afternoon in an exhibition game at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. It was also Homecoming at Union. 

Union led 24-22 at the end of the first quarter and outscored the Titans 23-19 in the second quarter to lead 47-41 at the half. 

Union seemed to be taking control early in the third quarter as the Lady Bulldogs extended their lead to as many as 11 points, 58-47, following Samariah Thompson 58-47. 

However, Illinois Wesleyan started to chip away, and with a 3-pointer with three minutes left in the third quarter, IWU took its first lead, 61-60, since the first quarter. The Titans outscored Union 26-20 in the third quarter. IWU held its largest lead of the night, 78-73 with 5:52 left in the game following one of its 12 three-pointers on the afternoon. Union rallied back and took a one-point lead on a 3-pointer from Lauren West, one of Union's 13 three-pointers. Illinois Wesleyan responded as the teams answered each other for the final few possession. IWU led 85-84 with 2:16 left in the game. Both teams then failed to score on their next possessions. Then Union's Anna McCredy made a layup with 1:20 left and that proved to be the game-winner. 

Union was led by Shanique Lucas with 22 points, while Bethany Dillard added 11 points. Jordan Little and Thompson added 13 points each. Lucas and Naomi Van Nes led with six rebounds each and Thompson led with five assists. Union shot 46 percent from the field, 42 percent (13-31) from long range, and 77 percent (13-17) from the free throw line. 

IWU was led by Powers with 20 points, Huber with 19, and Heller and Palmer with 18 each. Huber completed a double-double with 10 rebounds and added team-high six assists and five steals as well. The Titans shot 51 percent from the field, 48 percent (12-25) from long range, and 82 percent (9-11) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be the official season opener when the ladies travel to Puerto Rico for a pair of games Friday and Saturday, November 11-12. 

-UNION-