JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated Valdosta State University 78-72 Thursday at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 11-5 overall and 6-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Valdosta State dropped to 6-8 on the season and 3-5 in league play.

Valdosta State shot 77.9 percent from the field and 67 percent (2-of-3) from 3-point range in the fourth quarter. VSU outscored Union 30-20 in the final 10 minutes, taking its only lead briefly at 66-63 late in the game. 

Union led by 16 points, 58-42, entering the fourth quarter. The Union momentum was short-lived as VSU opened the fourth on fire with an 11-3 run, including the first five points of the quarter to get back to within single digits, 61-53. But they were not done. After a jumper from Bryan to put the lead back at 10 for Union, 63-53 with 6:54 left, VSU scored 13 straight points to take its first lead of the night, 66-63. VSU outscored Union 24-5 over the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter.

Union finally slowed the Lady Blazers down with a 6-0 run to regain the lead, 69-66 with 1:57 to play. After a VSU basket, Union's Olivia Lee hit a big 3-pointer to put Union up by four points, 72-68, with 1:14 left to play. Another VSU basket and Union hit one of two free throws to hold a 73-70 lead with 36 seconds on the clock. 

Union got a miss from VSU on the next possession with Union's Lee getting the rebound. With 17 seconds left in the game, VSU challenged a call on replay, lost the challenge, which cost VSU a timeout they did not have. Union's Bryan sank two technical free throws, and then Union hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final seconds to seal the 78-72 win. 

Union opened the game with a 7-0 run to take charge early. VSU settled in and played Union evenly over the remainder of the quarter, with both teams scoring 13 points. Union took advantage of a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Nora Saffell to match its largest lead of the quarter at seven points, 20-13. 

The Lady Bulldogs maintained a single-digit lead for the entire second quarter, ranging from four to nine points. Union led by nine three different times, including 37-28 with 29 seconds left in the half. VSU answered Union's first-quarter late 3-pointer with one of their own, cutting the Union lead to 37-31 going into the locker room. 

Olivia Lee led all scorers with nine points at the half. Union, Division 2's No. 2-ranked scoring offense at 88.3 points per game, struggled in the first 20 minutes, managing just 36 percent from the field and just 26 percent (5-19) from long range. 

Union started the third quarter similarly to the first, with a 5-0 run capped by a 3-pointer from Abigail Bryan to take a double-digit lead of 42-31 for the first time in the game. And again, VSU responded and kept within striking distance. Union took its largest lead of the night following an 8-0 run to close out the third quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers from Maddie Gray. Union led 58-42 entering the fourth. 

Union was led by Olivia Lee with 19 points and 15 rebounds, both game highs. Abigail Bryan scored 13 points. Union shot 37 percent from the field, 32 percent (12-38) from 3-point range, and 67 percent (14-21) from the free throw line. Union leads the nation with 11.2 made three-pointers per game. 

Valdosta State was led by the reigning GSC and NCAA D2 player of the week, Erin Whalen, with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Hicks added 12 points, and Martin scored 11 points. The Lady Blazers shot 54 percent from the field, 38 percent (6-16) from long range, and 50 percent (6-12) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be the second home game of the weekend, Saturday, January 10, at 2 p.m., versus West Florida.

-UNION-