BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 86-72 to The University of Alabama in Huntsville in the title game of the 2022 Gulf South Conference Tournament presented by TicketSmarter. Union dropped to 23-8 overall, while UAH improved to 22-10. 

This was Union's first appearance in the GSC Title game in men's basketball. 

After UAH opened the second half with a basket to match its largest lead of 18 points, Union posted an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 10 points, 46-36. The deficit for Union stayed double figures until a basket from Boe Nguidjol with 12:33 left to play set the score at 56-48.

UAH kept hitting big shots, but Union never gave up. Tyree Boykin's 3-pointer and Tylandrius Park's two free throws pulled the Bulldogs to within five points, 67-62. 

Now both teams were sinking big shots one after another. UAH extended its lead, but Union led by Boykin came back yet again. Another Boykin 3-pointer with 7:36 left got Union to within six again at 71-65. Union was withing six one more time, 76-70, but could not get any closer. 

To open the game, Union scored first on a layup from Jeremiah Littlepage. However, UAH answered with an 18-2 run to take control of the game. UAH kept the double-digit lead as Union could only get as close as 11 points in the first. A 3-pointer from JC Clausi got Union to within 11 with 2:36 left, 37-26. UAH again pushed out to a 44-26, the biggest of the half. Union got an alley-oop dunk by Tylandrius Parks from Tyree Boykin just before the first half buzzer to set the halftime deficit at 44-28.

Union was led by Tyree Boykin with 23 points, 20 of those in the second half. Parks added 21 points. Both players were named to the GSC All-Tournament team. Union shot 39 percent from the field, 37 percent (14-38) from long range, and 78 percent (14-18) from the free throw line. 

Alabama Huntsville was led by Johnson with 27, Burnett with 20, Williams with 14, and Saylor with 10. The Chargers shot 48 percent from the field, 36 percent (10-28) from long range, and 70 percent (14-20) from the free throw line. 

Union should advance to the region tournament next week. The seeds, location, and participating teams will be announced tonight, Sunday, March 6 at 9:30 p.m. on NCAA.com's selection show. 

-UNION-