JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 79-69 to No. 14 University of West Alabama Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium, David Blackstock Court. Union dropped to 9-14 on the season and 5-12 in the Gulf South Conference. West Alabama improved to 21-3 overall and a league-best 16-2. 

Union scored first on a basket from Terrence Ringo, Jr., the reigning GSC Player of the Week. The teams swapped buckets for the first few minutes. A 3-pointer from Union's Devaki Garr put the Bulldogs up 7-5. West Alabama scored four straight to take a lead they never relinquished. The Tigers slowly extended their lead to as many as 18 points a few times in the half, including the 43-25 lead at halftime. 

West Alabama wasted no time in the second half, pushing its lead over 20 points. The Tigers led 55-32 just over four minutes into the half. Union then came alive with a 20-6 run over the next six minutes to cut the deficit to single digits, 61-52, with just over 10 minutes left in the game. West Alabama regained control, pushing the lead back to double figures at 69-54 with 7:50 remaining. 

Union had one last run left in them. The Bulldog used a 13-4 run to get it back to single digits, 73-67, with 2:33 left. West Alabama answered with four straight points to go back up by 10 with just over a minute left in the game. Both teams added a couple of points in the final minute to set the final at 79-69.  

Union was led by Ringo with 22 points and 11 rebounds. It was his 13th double-double of the year and ninth in the past 10 games. Will Lovings-Watts added 19 points. Union shot 47 percent from the field, 32 percent (7-22) from long range, and 71 percent (12-17) from the free throw line. 

West Alabama was led by Tulip with 22 points and Frederick with 20. The Tigers shot 52 percent from the field, 50 percent (8-16) from 3-point range, and 58 percent (11-19) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union will be the final of three consecutive home games, a 4 p.m. clash with UAH Saturday at The Fred. 

-UNION-