FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Union University men's basketball team lost a heartbreaker, 81-80, at Nova Southeastern University in the second round of the NCAA D2 Men's Basketball National Tournament. Nova Southeaster was not only the top seed in the region, but also the No. 1 ranked team NCAA D2. Fourth-seeded Union ended its season at 24-9, while Nova Southeastern survived and remained unbeaten at 30-0. 

This was Union's fifth trip to the NCAA D2 National Tournament in program history. It was the third trip for head coach David Niven and his second trip to the round of 32. 

The 24 wins for Union are the most of any Union men's team in NCAA D2 seasons. The Bulldogs posted best finishes in program history with a runner-up finish in both the Gulf South Conference Regular Season and Tournament. 

Niven said, "It is hard to lose any game, a lot harder to lose the last game. And even harder to lose this game with a chance to go to the Sweet Sixteen. I love these two seniors (JC Clausi and Mikail Simmons sitting with him at the post-game press conference). One I've coached for five years (Hawkins) and one for one season. I hate the fact that this was my last time to coach these guys. We knew we were capable, that we had a chance to beat them. it is a tough way to lose, a heartbreaking loss. However, I want our players to hold their heads up. In the last 10 minutes, we made many big plays, and Nova made a lot of tough shots also. Man, I wish that possession arrow was pointing the other way. They got the ball last and made a tough shot. They are a great basketball team, but I'm coaching a great basketball team too. I am so proud and thankful for this team."

Union's Tyree Boykin opened the game with a 3-pointer. After a Nova basketball, local Broward County product, Justin Debuck hit a 3-pointer to give Union the 6-2 lead. Union never trailed in the first half and led 33-26 with 5:34 left in the half. Union then exploded with a 12-0 run to lead 45-26 with 2:42 left. 

Nova closed out the first half on a 9-0 run to cut the Union lead to 10 points at the break, 45-35. 

Union scored first in the second half as Jeremiah Littlepage layup in the paint to put the Bulldogs up by 12. However, Nova was still hot, continuing its run that started late in the first half, scoring 13 straight points. The combined run was 22-2, taking its first lead of the night, 48-47 with 15:59 left in the game. 

The game was back-and-forth for the rest of the way with each team hitting big shot after big shot. 

From the 5:23 mark in the second half, until Union's possession with nine seconds remaining, there was a string of 12 straight scoring possessions, six for each team. Boykin scored his 30th point of the night on jumper with 39 seconds left to give Union the 80-77 lead. After a pair of free throws by Nova to pull to within one, Union failed to score for the first time in six possessions. On Nova's last possession, Union forced a loose ball on the floor and nearly got the steal. However, a jump ball was called, and the possession arrow was pointing Nova's way. With four seconds left, the pass came to Kobe Rodgers who sank the short fall-away jumper with a hand in his face for the win, 81-80. 

Union was led by Boykin's 30 points, including 6-of-12 shooting from behind the arc. Boe Nguidjol added 20 points with a team high seven rebounds. JC Hawkins led with a career high nine assists. Union shot 53 percent from the field, 42 percent (10-24) from 3-point range, and 71 percent (12-17) from the free throw line. 

Nova Southeastern was led by RJ Sunahara with 24 points. Nick Smith added 21, Sekou Sylla added 13, Eddie Puisis scored 12, and the hero, Rodgers scored six. The Sharks shot 52 percent from the field, 31 percent (4-13) from long range, and 94 percent (15-16) from the free throw line. 

-UNION-