VALDOSTA, Ga.- Union closed with authority Saturday afternoon, outscoring Valdosta State 30-26 in the fourth quarter to secure a 78-73 Gulf South Conference road victory at The Complex.
After trailing 17-13 at the end of the first quarter and facing a tight 48-47 edge heading into the final period, the Lady Bulldogs delivered their most efficient stretch when it mattered most. Union shot 72.7 percent (8-of-11) in the fourth quarter and went 12-of-15 from the free-throw line in the final 10 minutes to seal the five-point win.
Olivia Lee led the way with 26 points on 7-of-12 shooting and a 9-of-10 performance from the free-throw line.
She added six rebounds and came up with key buckets in the paint down the stretch to help Union maintain control in the closing minutes.
Courtney Zensen provided a major spark off the bench, finishing with 18 points and four three-pointers, while knocking down clutch free throws in the final second.
Aubrey Sorrells added 10 points and six rebounds, and Katie Yoder chipped in nine points and five boards to round out a balanced effort.
Union's bench production proved pivotal, outscoring Valdosta State's reserves 39-26.
The Lady Bulldogs also capitalized on timely stops and strong rebounding, finishing with 39 total boards and forcing 20 turnovers.
The contest featured six lead changes and three ties, but Union's poise in the final minutes, particularly at the free-throw line; made the difference as the Lady Bulldogs improved to 19-9 overall and 14-6 in GSC play.
Union returns home next week as the regular season winds down for the last weekend of regular season play, carrying momentum from a hard-fought pair of road conference wins.
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