CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team posted a 79-66 win at Lee University Saturday to close out the regular season. Union improved to 23-2 overall and 18-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee dropped to 22-6 on the season and 15-5 in league play. 

The 18-0 conference record for Union is the first perfect record season for the Lady Bulldogs since joining the GSC. It is the seventh perfect regular season in GSC history and first since North Alabama's 12-0 season in 2010-11. Union's 18-0 perfect conference record is also the most wins while remaining unbeaten in GSC history, passing Delta State's 16-0 season in 1989-90. Union already holds the record for GSC wins in a season with 20 GSC wins back in 2015-16.

Union is ranked No. 3 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 4 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, but more importantly, ranked No. 1 in this week's NCAA Regional Rankings. Lee is receiving votes nationally and ranked No. 5 in this week's region ranking. 

In the game, Union led from start to finish in one of the toughest places to play in the country. Shanique Lucas opened the game with a 3-pointer to get things started. The game was tied a few times in the first couple of minutes, but Union slowly pushed its lead to double figures, 22-12 to end the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, Lee got as close as four points, but Union extended its lead to as many as 14 points twice, including the 45-31 halftime lead. Ashtyn Baker hit a basket in the final seconds of the half to score her 17th point of the first half. 

Union got its lead to as many as 18 points, 52-36 at the 6:13 mark of the third quarter. However, as a Lee is expected to do, the Lady Flames began to chip away and take advantage of two Union starters on the bench with four fouls. Union led 62-50 at the end of the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, Lee cut the Union lead down to just four points, 68-64 with 3:35 left to play. However, Union stopped the rally with a Baker 3-pointer. Union went on a 6-0 run to lead by double figures again and put the game away. Union outscored Lee 11-4 in the final three minutes of play. 

Union was led Ashtyn Baker with a game-high 27 points. Jaelencia Williams posted a dominating stat line with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while adding five blocks and four assists. Bethany Dillard and Emily Beard Dunnagan added nine points each. Union shot 52 percent from the field, 62 percent (8-13) from 3-point range, and 65 percent (19-29) from the free throw line. 

Lee was led by Haley Schubert with 20 points. Julia Duncan added 15 points for the Lady Flames. Lee shot 39 percent from the field, 27 percent (4-15) from 3-point range, and 76 percent (16-21) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be the first round (quarterfinals) of the GSC Tournament. Top-seeded Union will host 8-seeded Montevallo for the second straight year to open the tournament. The winner 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 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-