JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated the University of West Alabama 60-34 Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union, ranked No. 15 in the WBCA Poll and No. 24 in the D2SIDA Poll, improved to 21-3 overall and 19-3 in the Gulf South Conference. West Alabama dropped to 13-13 on the season and 10-12 in league play. 

The win for Union pushed its winning streak to 10 games, its longest of the season. 

Shanique Lucas of Union scored the first points of the game on a layup on the opening possession. After West Alabama took a brief lead on a 3-pointer, Union responded with four straight points to take the lead for good. Naomi Van Ness scored the last four points of an 8-0 run for Union and the Lady Bulldogs extended the lead to double figures at 19-7. Union led 19-8 at the end of the first quarter. 

Union's Lauren West opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer, sparking earn in the quarter. Union opened the quarter with a 10-3 run to push out to a 29-12 lead with 5:17 left. However, West Alabama stormed back into the game with a 12-0 run over the remainder of the half, cutting the deficit to 29-24 with less than a minute left in the half. Union's leading scorer, Shanique Lucas missed most of the quarter with foul trouble.

Union ended the UWA run with the first four points of the third quarter, two each from the Lucas sisters, Shanique and Keisharna. Union outscored the Tigers 15-4 in the low-scoring third quarter and extended its lead to the largest to this point, 43-25 during the quarter. Union led 44-28 going into the fourth quarter. 

West Alabama kept it interesting, not going way, opening the fourth quarter with a 6-2 to get to within 12 points. Union stopped the run with back-to-back 3-pointers from West and Leah Church. These were the first made 3-pointers for Union since Church hit one at 5:21 left in the second quarter. Union outscored UWA 16-6 in the fourth quarter. 

Union's largest lead of the game was the final, 60-34. Union outscored West Alabama 31-10 in the second half. Union forced 25 turnovers and scored 24 points off turnovers. Union had 17 steals. 

Union was led by Shanique Lucas with 12 points. Naomi Van Nes added nine points. All twelve players for Union scored in the game. Union shot 36 percent from the field, 22 percent (5-23) from 3-point range, and 68 percent (13-19) from the free throw line. 

West Alabama was led by Logsdon and Dent with nine points each. Dent added 10 rebounds. The Tigers shot 26 percent from the field, 15 percent (2-13) from long range, and 67 percent (4-6) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be the final regular season games of the year when the Lady Bulldogs travels to Lee and Shorter February 23 and 25. Listen locally on 93.1 FM or online on Union's coverage page. 

-UNION-