JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team earned a hard-fought victory, 67*63, over the University of Montevallo Saturday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium, David Blackstock court. The Bulldogs improved to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Montevallo dropped to 7-4 on the season and 4-2 in league play. 

Montevallo stood among the early leaders in the GSC standings entering this game in Jackson. It was a close one all the way, and featured two ties and seven lead changes throughout the first 30 minutes of play. 

With 11:57 left to play in the game, Union's Devaki Garr drained a 3-pointer to give Union a 39-37 lead. That basketball not only started an 8-0 run for Union, but it gave the Bulldogs a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the night. Union's biggest lead of the night was seven points, 44-37, following that 8-0 run. Montevallo stayed close, but Union continued to hit big shots down the stretch to answer the Falcons. 

Montevallo cut its deficit to just one point, 61-60, with 1:56 left to play. Will Lovings-Watts for Union drained and jumper, and then on the next possession hit a pair of free throws to complete his personal 4-0 run and give Union a late cushion. With Union leading 65-60 and just three seconds left on the clock, Montevallo's Brandon Fussell drained a 3-pointer, cutting the deficit to just two points. Union's Mason McBride was fouled and hit both free throws to seal the win. 

Early on, Montevallo came out of the locker room on fire, jumping out to a 10-1 lead. Union got its first field goal of the night on a 3-pointer from Sam Youngblood at the 13:30 mark of the contest. The 9-point lead for Montevallo was its largest of the night, and Union began to battle back from there. 

Union was led by Lovings-Watts with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Terrence Ringo, Jr. added 12 points and nine boards, while Mason McBride scored 11. Garr led Union with three 3-pointers on the night. Union shot 34 percent from the field, 26 percent (8-31) from long range, and 79 percent (11-14) from the foul line. 

Montevallo was led by Derek Moore with 19 points and Fussell with 13. Tyson Sexton added nine points and led with 10 rebounds. The Falcons shot 41 percent from the field, 36 percent (11-31) from 3-point range, and 80 percent (4-of-5) from the free throw line. 

Union is off until the new year, when they travel to UAH, Thursday, January 2. Watch all the action on FloCollege at www.uuathletics.com/coverage. 

-UNION-