The Union University women’s basketball team posted a 58-53 win at the University of West Alabama Saturday afternoon. Union, ranked No. 19 in the WBCA poll, improved to 9-2 overall and 7-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Alabama dropped to 7-4 on the season and 6-3 in league play.
The win pushed Union head coach Mark Campbell just five wins away from 700 for his career. He is on pace to become the fastest coach in basketball history, men or women, all levels, to reach 700 wins.
Union led for almost 30 minutes in the game including the entire second half.
West Alabama started hot, jumping out to an 11-2 season to open play. Union chipped away and trailed just 14-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Union opened the second quarter on an 11-0 run to take the lead for good. Union led by as many as 10 in the second quarter before taking a 28-22 halftime lead.
Union took its largest lead of the game, 33-22, with 8:13 left in the third. West Alabama cut the deficit to four at the end of the third. The Tigers did not go away and got as close as two points with three minutes left in the game. However, Union was able to make six free throws, two each from Samariah Thompson, Leah Cauble, and Leah Church to help seal the win down the stretch.
Union was outrebounded 45-40 in the game but forced 17 West Alabama turnovers. Both teams struggled from the field, shooting in the low 30-percent range.
Union was led by Thompson with 15 points. The reigning GSC Player of the Week, Shanique Lucas, scored 13 points. Naomi Van Nes led with eight rebounds. The Lady Bulldogs shot 32 percent from the field, 17 percent (5-29) from 3-point range, and 63 percent (19-30) from the free throw line.
West Alabama was led by Zoe Watts with 15 points. Brian Dent recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. The Tigers shot 31 percent from the field, 31 percent (4-13) from long range, and 72 percent (13-18) from the foul line.
Up next for Union is another GSC road game in Alabama, Monday, January 2 at Alabama Huntsville at 2 p.m. This time was moved to 2 p.m. from the later original start time.
