PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Union University women's basketball team posted an 84-74 overtime win at the University of West Florida. Union improved to 18-9 overall and 13-6 in the Gulf South Conference. West Florida dropped to 14-11 on the season and 10-9 in league play.
With the win, Union swept the regular season series with West Florida, winning 113-67 in Jackson back in January.
The win also kept Union in a tie for second place with Trevecca with 13-6 league records, both of which have already clinched a spot in the GSC Tournament. UAH has clinched the regular season title and 1-seed in the tournament, but the remaining seeds are up in the air. Union and Trevecca are one game ahead of fourth place tied teams, Lee and Delta State, both with seven conference losses. After this week's road games, Union closes the regular season at home next Wednesday and Friday versus Trevecca and Lee, with much left to be decided.
Union outscored West Florida 20-10 in the overtime period, including 17 points in the final three minutes of OT.
The teams were tied at 64-64 at the end of regulation with UWF's Amelia Bell hit a layup at the buzzer to force overtime. Union led 50-40 going into the fourth quarter.
In overtime, West Florida took the early edge, leading 72-67 with three minutes left. Union freshman,
Abigail Bryan, took over, She hit back-to-back 3-pointers, then a two pointer, followed by an old fashion 3-point play. With her personal 9-point run, Union now led 76-74 with 55 seconds left. Union went 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to get the 84-74 win. Bryan scored 11 of her team-high 22 points in overtime.
Union led 23-19 after the first quarter and then added to its lead with a 16-point second quarter. Union led 39-32 at the half. Union won a very low scoring third quarter 11-8 to lead 50-40 entering the fourth. UWF outscored Union 24-14 in the forth to force overtime.
Union's largest lead of the night was a 14-point advantage late in the first half, 38-24. UWF's five point lead in overtime was its largest of the game. There were five ties and five lead changes in the game.
Union was led by Bryan with 22 points including 5-of-8 from 3-point range.
Olivia Lee scored 17 points,
Aubrey Sorrells added 12, and Katie Yoder 11. Union shot 40 percent from the field, 39 percent (16-41) from long range, and 67 percent (14-21) from the foul line. Union was 10-of-11 from the free throw line in the overtime period.
West Florida was led by Bell with 28 points. Grimes added 14 points and Tyre scored 13. The Argos shot 44 percent from the field, 17 percent (4-23) from 3-point range, and 78 percent (14-18) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be the final GSC regular season road game of the year, at Valdosta State this Saturday, February 21 at 1 p.m. central.
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