JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated the University of Alabama in Huntsville 71-45 Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union, ranked No. 15 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll and No. 24 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, improved to 20-3 overall and 18-3 in the Gulf South Conference. Alabama Huntsville dropped to 7-18 on the season and 7-14 in league play. 

The win for Union was the 20th victory of the year for the Lady Bulldogs and extended its winning streak to nine games, the longest active streak in the GSC. Union remains just one game out of first place with three games left in the season.

Union started well, dominating the first quarter 23-11. Union shot 64 percent from the field and made 3-of-5 three-pointers at a 60 percent clip. In the second quarter, shooting cooled as Union made just 1-of-6 from long range. Union and Alabama Huntsville played to a 13-13 tie as Union maintained the 12-point advantage at the break, 36-24. Union's largest lead of the first half was 18 points, 34-16 with four minutes left in the half. Union scored first in both the first and second quarters. Shanique Lucas scored the game's first four points and then Lauren West opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer. 

Union scored first again in the third quarter on a Shanique Lucas layup. Union scored the first six points of the third quarter, pushing the lead back to 18 points. The fast start slowed as Union edged UAH 13-12 in the third quarter. 

And for the fourth time in the game, Union scored first to start the quarter. Union opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run including the first five points. Samariah Thompson's 3-point play started the run and her 3-pointer with 7:24 left in the game ended the run. Union had its largest lead to that point at 19, 57-38. UAH had one last run and cut the deficit to just 13 points after back-to-back 3-pointers from Haley Nichols.

Union stopped the UAH rally, posting a 14-1 run over the final 5:31 of the game including Lauren West's fourth and fifth 3-pointers of the night to win 71-45. This was Union's largest lead of the night. Union outscored UAH 22-9 in the fourth quarter.

Union was led by West with 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. Shanique Lucas added 16 points, five rebounds, and five steals. Thompson scored 12 points with five assists. The Lady Bulldogs shot 51 percent from the field, 38 percent (8-21) from long range, and made all five three throws. 

Alabama Huntsville was led by Nichols with 21 points. The Chargers shot 39 percent from the field, 27 percent (3-11) from 3-point range, and 6-0 percent (6-10) from the free throw line.

Up next for Union will be the final regular season home game this Saturday, February 18 at 2 p.m. versus West Alabama. It will be basketball senior day at Union. 

-UNION-