JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated Delta State University Thursday night in the semifinals of the 2026 Gulf South Conference Championship. Union improved to 23-9 overall, while Delta State dropped to 18-11.
Union advances to the GSC title game for the ninth time in the 12 years of being eligible for postseason play. Union will defend its 2025 conference tournament title at the 1-seed UAH, Sunday afternoon, March 8, at 1 p.m. Union has won the GSC Tournament title seven times, including five of the last six. Watch on FloCollege at uuathletics.com/coverage.
The win also put Union head coach, Mark Campbell, at win No. 798 for his career. He is guaranteed two more games this season, one Sunday in the conference final and one next Friday to open the regional. Region round will likely be right back at UAH March 13, 14, and 16.
Union was ranked No. 3 in the latest D2 South Region rankings. The national tournament selection show will be Sunday night following all the conference championships games.
Delta State started the game by taking early control. The Lady Statesmen were attempting to do something that has not happened to Union women's basketball since joining NCAA Division II in 2012-13. DSU had the chance for three wins over Union in the same season, having swept the two regular season meetings.
Union trailed 19-7 with 3:12 left in the first quarter after the fast start by the Lady Statesmen. However, Union settled in and outscored DSU 8-0 over the final three minutes of the quarter to get back in the game.
Union continued its run from the first quarter and scored the first seven points of the second quarter to take 22-19 lead. Union's Olivia Lee hit a 3-pointer to cap the 15-0 run for Union, and breaking the 19-19 tie. It was the first lead for Union since 2-0. The two teams played to 7-7 tie over the remainder of second quarter. Union held DSU just seven points in the second quarter.
Just like the second quarter, Union started the third quarter hot. Union scored the first eight points of the second half including a 3-point play from Nora Saffell and a 3-pointer from Lee. Union led 37-26, holding its first double digit lead of the night. But again, Delta State rallied back and regained a brief lead, 44-43, with 2:40 left in the third thanks to an 18-6 run. Union responded with a layup from Aryn Roberts to give Union the lead. Union never trailed again, leading 48-46, at the end of three.
For the third straight quarter, Union used a fast start out of the huddle, this time a 7-0 run, started by another 3-pointer from Lee. Union began to pull away, helped by a couple of 3-pointers, one form Abigail Bryan and one from Courtney Zensen in the final five minutes. Following a layup from Katie Yoder with 2:52 left, Union held its largest lead at 68-53. Union coasted to the same 15-point margin, with the 73-58 final.
The fourth quarter was dominate for the Lady Bulldogs, outscoring Delta State 25-12 and shooting 100 percent 6-6) from the field, including all three 3-pointers. Union hit 10-of-12 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Union was led by Lee with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds. The 26 points for Lee matched her second best outing of the season, just one point off her season high. Zensen added 13 points with three 3-pointers and Escobedo scored 11 points. The Lady Bulldogs shot 52 percent from the field, 35 percent (7-20) form long range, and 76 percent (16-21) from the free throw line.
Delta State was led by Shelton with 14 points. Hollman added 11 points, while Roberts and Williamson added 10 points each. The Lady Statesmen shot 45 percent from the field, 50 percent (6-12) from 3-point range, and 71 percent (10-14) from the foul line.
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