JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 58-55 to Delta State University Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union dropped to 18-5 on the season and 12-3 in the Gulf South Conference. Delta State improved to 9-12 on the season and 8-7 in league play. 

Union is ranked No. 22 in this week's NABC Coaches' Poll and No. 23 in the D2SIDA Media Poll. 

The loss drops Union into a tie for first place with West Alabama. Union and West Alabama meet at Union February 19 at 4 p.m. 

Delta State scored first, but Union answered with a 3-pointer from Tylandrius Park and jumper from Tyree Boykin to lead 5-0. The teams went back-and-forth for the entire first half, both teams leading by as many as four points. DSU's layup in the final minute gave the Statesmen a 24-21 lead at the break. The first half featured four ties and six lead changes.

The second half opened with Delta State scoring seven straight points to push its lead to double figures at 31-21. Union scored its first points of the second half on a layup from Jeremiah Littlepage with 16:30 left in the game. However, on the next possession, DSU got a 3-pointer to extend its lead to 11 points, 34-23 with 16 minutes left to play. 

Littlepage scored the first six points of the second half for Union, cutting the deficit to 34-27 with 14:49 left. With DSU leading 39-30, Union posted an 11-0 run including a 3-pointer from Boykin to lead 41-39 with 7:35 left. DSU stopped the run, but a 3-pointer for Hunter Vick gave Union a 44-42 lead. Delta State scored 8-0 to regain the lead 50-44 with 3:51 left. Union chipped away and cut the deficit to 56-55 with 42 seconds left. However, DSU's layup with 18 seconds left gave the Statesmen a 58-55 lead. Union missed on its next shot and DSU missed two free throws with nine seconds left, giving Union one last shot. Union turned the ball over, giving Delta State the 3-point win.

Union was led by Littlepage with 15 points. Vick added 12 points and a team high two 3-pointers. Boe Nguidjol led with a game high 10 rebounds. Union shot 35 percent from the field, 19 percent (4-21) from long range, and 70 percent (7-10) from the free throw line.

Delta State was led by Cartwright led all scorers with 25 points. Brooks scored 17 points. The Statesmen shot 45 percent from the field, 24 percent (5-21) from 3-point range, and 47 percent (7-15) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be a home game Saturday, February 12 at 4 p.m. versus Mississippi College. Local coverage on 101.5 FM and EPlus TV 6 or streaming online at www.uuathletics.com/coverage. 

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