JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team posted a 69-53 win over the University of Montevallo Tuesday night in the Gulf South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals presented by TicketSmarter. Union improved to 24-2 on the season, while Montevallo ended its season at 13-16. 

Union, the top seed in the GSC Tournament, is also ranked No. 3 nationally in both the WBCA Coaches' Poll and the D2SIDA Media Poll. More importantly, Union is the top seed in the NCAA Regional Rankings, entering the weekend as the favorite to host the South Region bracket of the national tournament in two weeks. 

The win tonight also pushed Union's overall winning streak to 21 games and its home court winning streak to 19 straight. 

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "After a very sluggish start, I felt like we did a good job of getting the ball inside. The first game of the tournament is always a struggle. Montevallo came out and really bothered us with their pressure. I am grateful our team gets to experience going to Birmingham together!"

Union struggled early in the contest offensively but was able to take a 17-10 lead after one quarter. A low scoring second quarter set the halftime score at 30-22, Union.

Union picked up the pace in the second half, posting 21 third quarter points and 18 more in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Union was 5-of-10 from 3-point range and shot over 50 percent from the field in the second half.

Union led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter, 69-47 with 1:27 left to play. Union coasted to the 16-point victory.

Union was led by Jaelencia Williams with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and career high seven blocks. She recorded her 10th double-double of the season. Emily Beard Dunnagan added 12 points on four 3-pointers. Shanique Lucas and Bethany Dillard each added nine points. Union shot 49 percent from the field, 42 percent (10-24) from 3-point range, and 65 percent (11-17) from the free throw line. 

Montevallo was led by Kiya Sain with 15 points and McCarley Northway with 21 points. The Falcons shot 29 percent from the field, 25 percent (7-28) from long range, and 73 percent (8-11) from the free throw line. 

Union advances to the GSC Semifinals for the seventh time in the eight years in the league. Union will face a familiar tournament foe, 5th-seeded Delta State. This marks the fifth time Union and Delta State have met in the GSC Tournament, with Union leading three of the previous four meetings, three times in the title game (2-1 Union), and once in the quarterfinals (1-0 Union).

Listen locally on 101.5 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/coverage. 

-UNION-