BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Union University women's basketball posted a 67-59 victory over the University of West Florida Saturday in the Gulf South Conference Tournament semifinals. Union, seeded second in the tournament improved to 25-3 on the season, while West Florida dropped to 22-7 overall. 

For Union, is was the 14th straight win for Union and improved its GSC Semifinal record to 7-1.

Union will be make its seventh trip to the title game in the nine years of being members of the GSC. Union is 5-1 in the previous six trips and has won each of the last three tournament titles. This will be the third straight GSC title game featuring Union and Lee.

Union head coach Mark Campbell said, "We really struggled in the second half offensively, but we really rebounded well, and our effort was consistent the entire second half. Fatigue played a major factor as well. This time of year, it is good to win on a bad day from the field. We did that and I am very proud. Tomorrow will be one of those games as well. I love Marty and respect their (Lee's) program. It will be a great opportunity for both tams as we head to the regional next week. We will have to shoot it better and give the same effort for 40 minutes."

In the semifinal game, West Florida hit two 3-pointers early including one to open the game and led 11-7 just over three minutes into the game. Union got 3-pointers from Lauren West, Samariah Thompson, Shanique Lucas and Keisharna Lucas as a part of an 14-2 run to close the half. Union led 21-13 after one. 

In the second quarter, Union stretched its lead to as many as 13 points two different times, the latest being 36-23 with 2:40 left in the half. Union led 39-28 at the break. 

The third quarter was all West Florida as the Argos got back into the game, outscoring Union 24-15. Union led by 12, 46-34 with 6:44 left in the third. UWF outscored Union 18-8 over the final six minutes to cut the deficit to 54-52 by the end of three. 

West Florida continued their run from the third, sinking back-to-back 3-pointers and one-of-two free throws to score the first five points of the fourth. At the 6:56 mark of the fourth, UWF held its largest lead at 59-54. However, that was the last points of the game for the Argos. Union's defense held UWF scoreless for the final 6:56, while scoring 13 points to rally for the win. A 3-pointer from Thompson with 1:37 left gave Union the lead for good. Union was 6-for-6 down the stretch from the free throw line to seal the win. 

Union will face top-seeded Lee at 12 p.m. Sunday, March 5 for the title. Both teams will advance to the national tournament, region round next week. 

-UNION-