JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team posted a 56-43 victory over Christian Brothers University Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 12-8 overall and 11-5 in the Gulf South Conference. Christian Brothers dropped to 3-16 on the season and 3-12 in league play. 

The game was 2-2 after both teams got two quick buckets. However, neither team scored again until Union's Jeremiah Littlepage ended a four-and-a-half-minute scoring drought for both teams. Low scoring was the story of the first half. Christian Brothers was the first team to double figures, taking a 10-9 lead at the 9:18 mark. Union scored on the next trip with a basket from Tylandrius Parks to give Union an 11-10 lead with 8:45 left in the half. 

Union finally brought through a little and pushed its lead to as many as eight points, 24-16 with 3:25 left. CBU rallied back and tied the game when Aiden Ruthsatz was fouled on a 3-point attempt with a second left in the half. He made all three free throws to tie the game at 25-25 at the break. 

Just like in the first half, CBU scored first, but Union this time with a 15-0 run to lead 40-27 with 10:41 left to play in the game. Union's largest lead of the night was 56-40 with 1:49 left. 

CBU outrebounded Union 34-23 in the game, but Union forced 26 Buc turnovers. Union scored almost half of its points, 27, off of the CBU turnovers. 

Union was led by Boe Nguidjol with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five steals, all team-highs. He added three assists and led the team with two 3-pointers. Littlepage and Parks added 10 points each, while Justin Debuck added nine points. The Bulldogs shot 46 percent from the field, 25 percent (5-20) from the 3-point line, and 58 percent (7-12) from the free throw line. 

CBU was led by Johnson with 10 points and Loos with eight points and eight rebounds. The Bucs shot 37 percent from the field, seven percent (1-14) from long range, and 80 percent (8-10) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be two more home games next weekend, February 2 and 4 when West Florida and Valdosta State come to town. 

-UNION-