JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team lost 89-81 to Lee University Friday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union ended is season at 11-17 overall and 7-15 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee improved to 14-12 on the season and 11-11 in league play.
Union needed to win tonight to earn the 8-seed in next week's GSC Tournament. Lee had already locked up the 7-seed entering tonight's contest.
Both teams shot lights out in the game. Union shot 58 percent from the field, while Lee was not far behind at 55 percent. Union hit 56 percent of its 3-pointers (9-16), while Lee was 12-of-25 for 48 percent. Both teams missed just two free throws. Lee sealed the win going 5-for-6 in the final three minutes.
Union fought to the end, battling back to an 81-79 deficit with just 1:33 left in the game. Lee, as they did all night, responded to each and every run the Bulldogs made. Lee hit a back breaking 3-pointer on the next possession to go up five. Terrence Ringo, Jr. scored his sixth straight point for the Bulldogs down the stretch to get to within three, 84-81. But again, a layup by the Flames finally broke the Bulldogs. After Union had cut it to two points with 1:33 left, Lee closed the game on an 8-2 run to seal the win.
Lee's biggest lead of the night was 14 points, 66-52, midway through the second half. Despite the comeback attempt by the Bulldogs, Union could not overcome the Flames. Union's only lead of the night was the early 2-0 lead.
In the first half, Lee jumped out to the quick 16-5 lead. However, Union chipped away and tied the game 24-24 with 8:34 left in the half. Lee maintained a slim lead, and following a jumper from Union's Terrence Ringo, Jr., the Bulldogs were within two, 36-34. Lee closed the half with an 8-2 run to lead 44-26 going into the locker room.
Union was led by Ringo with 30 points and eight rebounds. Sam Youngblood added 15 points, while Will Lovings-Watts scored 12.
Lee was led by Chatman with 23 points. Gray added 21 points while Wilkins scored 13.
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