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Union women hold off Valdosta State to open nationals, 58-52

TAMPA, Fla. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated Valdosta State University Friday in the opening game of the 2023 NCAA D2 Women's Basketball National Championships, south regional round. Union, seeded third in the region, improved  to 28-3 on the season. Six-seeded Valdosta State ended its season at 22-7. 

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "It was definitely a struggle tonight! Valdosta State really defended us but we were really tough minded late in the game. We had some key stops  and made free throws down the stretch."

For the fourth straight game, all postseason games, Union had to rally from a fourth quarter deficit for the win. 

Valdosta State jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead to start the game. However, Union slowly chipped away and outscored VSU 15-4 over the last six minutes of the quarter. Union led 19-14 at the end of one. 

In the second quarter, both teams struggled offensively with Valdosta State edging Union 10-8. Union's lead was just 27-24 at the half. 

Union opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run to take an 11-point lead, capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Bethany Dillard. Union and VSU went back and forth with Union never able to increase the 11-point advantage. Union held the 11 point lead with just over three minutes left in the third. By quarter's end, VSU had cut its deficit to eight, 45-37. 

In the fourth quarter, Valdosta State chipped away and pulled to within one points, 45-44. However, Samariah Thompson drained a 3-pointer from the corner to keep Union in the lead temporarily. VSU answered with a 3-pointer of its own, then a layup and the Lady Blazers had taken their first lead since the first, 49-48, with 4:14 left to play. That score stood until Union's Thompson put Union back on top with a pair of free throws with 1:54 left.

Counting the 3-pointer four minutes into the quarter, Thompson scored seven straight points for Union, capped by a layup to put her team up three, 52-49. With Union up 54-49, VSU hit a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left, but Union made its last four free throws, and 8-of-10 over the final two minutes to seal the win.  

Union was led by Thompson with 14 points, while Shanique Lucas and Bethany Dillard scored 12 each. Union shot 34 percent from the field, 32 percent (9-28) from 3-point range, and 75 percent (15-20) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be the region semifinal game, Saturday, March 11 at 4 p.m. central time versus Eckerd/Nova Southeastern winner. Listen locally at 93.1 FM or online at on Union's coverage page. 
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