BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Union University women's basketball posted a 59-51 win over Delta State University Saturday in the 2022 Gulf South Conference Tournament presented by TicketSmarter Semifinals. Top seeded Union improved to 25-2 on the season, while 5-seed Delta State's season ends at 14-13.

This was Union seventh appearance in the GSC Semifinals, moving Union's semifinal record to 6-1. It was also the fifth time Union and Delta State have met in the GSC Tournament, lifting Union to 4-1 over the Lady Statesmen in tournament play. It was also Union's 22 straight win on the season.

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "We came out very slow today. Delta State punched us early and we struggled to score. I thought we really responded in the third quarter, we played with urgency on both ends. We will need to be better tomorrow."

The spark Union needed was a 3-pointer at the first half buzzer by Emily Beard Dunnagain. Union scored the first six points of third quarter, matching its first half 3-point total on two shots. Three pointers from Shanique Lucas and Bethany Dillard got Union to within two points, 29-27. DSU stopped the run with its first basket of the third quarter at the 8:09 mark. Union dominated the third quarter, outscoring DSU 24-10 in the period. Tied the game 37-37 on a 3-pointer from Beard Dunnagan with 3:17 left in the quarter. Saramiah Thompson gave Union its first lead with a 3-pointer as the shot clock was winding down, 40-37, with 2:25 left. Union led by as many as seven in the quarter (45-38) before taking a 45-39 lead into the fourth quarter. 

Union shot a blazing 64 percent in the third quarter and was 6-of-8 from three-point range. 

Union took it largest lead of eight points, 47-39, on the first basket of the fourth quarter. Delta State stayed close, cutting the deficit to four points, 49-45, with 7:30 left. Union matched its largest lead of eight points again at 56-48 and 59-51 following a 3-pointer from Ashtyn Baker. After both teams turned the ball over in the final minute, Union was able to run the clock out for the win. 

Union shot 56 percent from the field in the second half and was on fire with 8-of-11 (73%) from 3-point range in the final 20 minutes. 

Delta State opened the game with 3-pointer right off the opening tip to take a lead they held for the remainder of the first half. Delta State led 5-0 when Union scored its first basket on a layup from Lucas. Jaelencia Williams answered with a bucket and Union was with one point, 5-4. Delta State responded with another 3-pointer and a basket to lead 10-4. DSU led 14-9 at the end of one. 

The second quarter opened with a free throw from Williams for Union. However, another 3-pointer sparked a 7-0 run and Delta State's lead hit double figures for the first time at 21-10. Delta led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, 29-16, with 42 seconds left. Union's Williams hit two free throws and then as Delta State was holding for the last shot, Thompson forced a turnover. Union head coach Mark Campbell called a play for the final six seconds. It ended with senior guard Beard Dunnigan hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut the deficit to 29-21 at the half. 

The 21 first half points was the lowest total of the season for Union. The Lady Bulldog trailed Valdosta State 35-22 January 22 of this season. Union rallied to win that game 59-56. 

Union shot just 38 percent from the field in the first half, including just 2-of-8 from 3-point range. Delta State was 41 percent from the field including 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Delta State dominated the glass in the first 20 minutes, 21-12 over Union. 

Union was led by Lucas with 18 points. Williams posted her 11th double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Six different players hit a 3-pointer in the game for Union with Beard Dunnagan's 3-for-4 and nine points sparking Union's comeback. Union hot 48 percent from the field, 53 percent (10-19) from long range, and 50 percent (5-10) from the free throw line. 

Delta State was led by Stackhouse with 13 points and Hurst with 10 points. The Lady Statesmen shot 37 percent from the field, 20 percent (3-15) from 3-point range, and 43 percent (6-14) from the free throw line. 

Up next for Union will be its sixth trip to the GSC Tournament Title game, seeking its fifth title and third straight. Union will play the winner of the #2VSU/#3LEE semifinal game in the title game, Sunday, March 6 at 12:05 at the Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham. Listen locally on 101.5 FM or online at www.uuathletics.com/coverage. 

-UNION-