CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 84-77 at Lee University to close out the regular season. Union dropped to 21-7 overall and 15-5 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee improved to 18-8 on the season and 14-6 in league play. 

Union earned a program best No. 2 seed in next week's Gulf South Conference Tournament after a runner-up finished in the regular season. Union's previous highest seed in the GSC Tournament was a No. 3 seed back in 2016. 

Union entered the game knowing it needed a win on the road against the third-place team in the league, or a loss by West Alabama in its game Saturday to secure the regular season title and top seed. Unfortunately, neither of those things happened Saturday. 

The Bulldog of Union got off to a slow start at Lee, falling behind 11-2 after the first two minutes and 28 seconds. Lee hit 3-pointers in its first four baskets. That was the different in the game as Union outscored lee the rest of the way, only losing by seven points. 

Lee never trailed in the game and led by as many as 10 points a few times in the first half. Union trailed 38-30 at the half. 

In the second half, Lee pushed its lead to 13 points midway through the half. Union clawed back, getting as close as six points several times, including the final time, 69-63, with five minutes left to play. Lee quickly got the lead up to its largest of the night, 14 points 80-66. Union again made a run to get to within seven points in the final minute, but not any closer. 

Union was led by Tyree Boykin and Jeremiah Littlepage with 18 points each. Boe Nguidjol added 15 points. Hunter Vick led with eight rebounds. Union shot 47 percent from the field, 36 percent (9-25) from long range, and 86 percent (6-7) from 3-point range. 

Lee was led by McGuirk with 20 points including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Pjay Smith added 15 points (3-3 from three-point range), Quay Kennedy with 14 points and Beyuan Hendricks with 12 points. The Flames shot 51 percent from the field, 50 percent (11-22), and 93 percent (13-14) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be the first round (quarterfinals) of the GSC Tournament Tuesday night. Union will host as the No. 2 seed and the opponent is to be determined. (Note: the final bracket will be posted later Saturday night on Union and the GSC website). The winner of the quarterfinal game will advance to the GSC Semifinals in Birmingham, Ala. at the Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University, Saturday, March 5. Listen to the Union games locally on 101.5 FM or online at www.uuahtletics.com/coverage. Video streaming for GSC Tournament games will be through FloSports.com or at the Union coverage link and requires a subscription. 

-UNION-