VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Union University women's basketball team dropped its second conference game on the road in a row in a 60-54 loss at Valdosta State University. This is the first time the women's basketball team has taken back-to-back losses since the 2018-2019 season against Valdosta State and Nova Southeastern to end the season. Union, ranked No. 5 in the most recent national polls, dropped to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Valdosta State improved to 6-2 on the season and 5-1 in league play.
 
Valdosta State started the game strong by outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 16-9. The Lady Bulldogs went on to score 17 in the second to be leading 26-25 at halftime. In the third quarter, the blazers came out strong with 16 points to Union's 10. The fourth quarter was a tight one where Valdosta State beat Union 19-18 and finished the game 60-54.
 
Valdosta State came out hot in the first quarter shooting 50 percent from the three-point line and 83 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Bulldogs only shot 20 percent and 80 percent respectively. Overall, the bulldogs went 20-51 for field goals, 5-18 for three-point attempts, and 9-16 from the free-throw line. The Blazers shot 19-38 for field goals, 2-5 for three-point attempts, and 20-29 from the free-throw line.
 
Fast break points and rebounds were key to Valdosta State's victory against the Lady Bulldogs. Union had two fast break points and 21 rebounds while Valdosta State had 21 fast break points and 38 rebounds.
 
Union was led by Lauren West with 14 total points, followed by Samariah Thompson, 11, Shanique Lucas, and Leah Cauble with nine points each. Shanique Lucas and Naomi Van Nes led the team in rebounds with four each.
 
Valdosta State was led by Jirah Ards and Aleisha Curry with 10 points each and Taylor Searcey with eight rebounds.
 
Up next for Union is a conference match at home as they take on the Montevallo Falcons. The game is set to take place Friday, December 16, at 5:30 p.m.
 
-UNION-