Fast start lifts Union men over West Alabama 66-54
LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The Union University men’s basketball team posted a 66-54 win at the University of West Alabama Saturday afternoon.
According to a press release from Steven Aldridge – Union’s Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communication – Union improved to 8-4 on the season and in Gulf South Conference West play. West Alabama dropped to 3-3 overall and in league play.
Union swept the pair of games this weekend at West Alabama, taking Friday night’s contest 59-55.
Union also claims the regular-season series with UWA, 3-1, as the teams split two games two weeks ago at Union.
The wins moved Union into second place in the GSC West standings behind Alabama Huntsville (6-0).
Union opened the game with a 19-1 run, including the first seven points of the game. UWA’s first three points of the game came from the free throw line. With 9:52 left in the first half, West Alabama got its first field goal of the night to cut Union’s lead to 21-5. West Alabama kept chipping away and with 2:30 left in the half, had cut Union’s lead down to just five points, 27-22. Union stopped the Tiger run and at the half, led by nine points, 32-23.
In the second half, West Alabama kept Union in range and with 12:42 left to play, had cut the deficit back to five points, 40-35. Union posted a quick 8-0 run to regain control and push the lead back to double figures where it remained for the rest of the game. A dunk from JC Clausi with 3:49 matched Union’s largest lead of the game at 18 points, 61-43. Union coasted to the 66-54 win.
For the second straight night, Union was led by Tylandrius Parks as he poured in 16 in Saturday’s game. Justin Debuck added 12 points and Hunter Vick scored 11 points. Dusan Djordjevic led with seven points. Union shot 53 percent from the field, 11 percent (1-9) from long range, and 65 percent (15-23) from the free throw line.
Union outrebounded West Alabama 35-23, including 10-7 offensively. Union had 14 turnovers to the 12 miscues for UWA. Union scored 38 points in the paint.
West Alabama was led by Davis with 16 points and Miles with 11 points. The Tigers shot 40 percent from the field, 19 percent (3-16) from 3-point range, and 62 percent (13-21) from the foul line.
No. 20 Union women bounce back against West Alabama, 58-48
The Union University women’s basketball team posted a 58-48 victory Saturday afternoon over the University of West Alabama.
According to a press release from Steven Aldridge – Union’s Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communication – Union improved to 9-3 on the season and in the Gulf South Conference West. West Alabama dropped to 6-4 overall and 5-4 in league play.
Union lost to UWA last Friday night at home, but with Saturday’s win, took the regular season series versus the Tigers, 3-1. Union swept UWA on the road two weeks ago. All three Union wins were by double figures including wins of 10 points, 19 points, and 33 points.
Saturday’s game stared with Union controlling the first quarter, jumping out to an 18-6 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes. Union added to its lead in the second quarter, pushing out to a 15-point advantage at the half, 35-20.
In the third quarter, West Alabama outscored Union 15-9 and got as close as six points in the quarter. Union opened the fourth quarter with a jumper by Shaniqua Lucas to regain an 11-point lead. Union maintained a comfortable lead for the first half of the fourth quarter and after an Emily Beard three pointer with 6:05 left, Union again led by 11 points, 51-40. But UWA refused to go away.
After two free throws with three minutes left, the Tigers had cut the Union lead to just three points, 51-48. Union finally ended its near five-minute scoring drought in the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from Selale Kepenc to give Union a six-point cushion with just over a minute to play. Union made free throws late to earn the 10-point win.
Union was led by Jaelencia Williams with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Emily Beard scored 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three. Selale Kepenc added 11 points. Union shot 36 percent from the field, 32 percent (11-34) from long range, and 55 percent (11-20) from the free throw line.
Union outrebounded UWA 37-25 and also won the turnover battle, 11 miscues to 13 from the Tigers.
West Alabama was led by Brian Dent with 14 points and nine rebounds. Jala Williams added 13 points. The Tigers shot 33 percent from the field, 25 percent (6-24) from 3-point range, and 43 percent (6-14) from the foul line.
(PHOTO: Courtesy University of West Alabama sports information department)
