JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team posted a 78-69 win over the University of Montevallo Friday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union, ranked No. 20 in the WBCA poll and receiving votes in the D2SIDA Media poll, improved to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Montevallo dropped to 3-9 on the season, and 3-5 in league play.

Union opened the game with a 10-0 run with the last five points coming from Shanique Lucas. Montevallo scored its first points of the game at the 5:37 mark. Union Leah Church answered with a 3-pointer to put Union back up by double-figures. Union pushed out to a 23-10 lead by the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, Union extended its lead to as many as 16 points, 36-20 with 1:32 left in the half. Montevallo closed the half on a 6-0 run with two 3-pointers to set its halftime deficit to 36-26. 

In the second half, Montevallo continued to cut into the lead. The Falcons outscored Union 10-3 over the first three minutes to cut the deficit to 39-36. Union's only points in that stretch came from a 3-pointer from Shylee Morrison. Montevallo and Union swapped scoring possessions, Union a free throw and Montevallo back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 42-42 with 5:31 left. Union got a three 3-pointers from Jordan Little and a 3-pointer from Shanique Lucas, sparking a Union run that pushed its lead back to double figures, 59-49 with 1:49 left in the third. After the Falcons scored four straight points, Union closed the quarter with four straight points including a layup in the final seconds to give Union a 63-53 lead entering the fourth. Both teams scored 27 points in the third quarter. 

The teams played even for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter with Union holding the 10-point advantage, 69-59. Montevallo cut the Union lead down to six points four different times down the stretch including 75-69 with just over a minute left to play. Union was 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final two and a half minutes to seal the win.

Union out rebounded Montevallo 39-30 and both teams recorded 20 turnovers. There were 115 total shots in the game and over half (60) of those were 3-pointers. 

Union was led by Shanique Lucas with a season high 23 points. Samariah Thompson added 12 points, while Leah Cauble and Naomi Van Ness added 10 points each. Van Ness recorded career highs in points (10) and assists (2). Lucas completed a double-double and matched her career high with 11 rebounds. Union shot 47 percent from the field, 36 percent (10-28) from 3-point range, and 68 percent (14-21) from the free throw line. 

Montevallo was led by Snodgrass with 19 points and Grimes with 10 points. The Falcons shot 44 percent from the field, 34 percent (11-32) from long range, and 50 percent (8-16). 

Up next for Union is a home game December 18 at 2 p.m. versus Auburn University Montgomery. This will be the final game before Christmas break for Union. Listen locally on 93.1 FM or follow online at www.uuathletics.com/watch.

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