The Union University men’s basketball team was in action this past weekend, as they competed in the Gulf South Conference tournament in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Bulldogs lost in the semi-final round to top-seeded University of Alabama Huntsville, falling 77-75 in overtime.
“UAH is a great team, and very tough to play against,” said Pedro Faller, senior business management major and guard on the team. “They stick with their system better than any team I’ve seen. We played really well until the last couple of minutes. I’m really proud of my teammates for not giving up even for a second.”
In order to make it to the semi final round against UAH, Union came out on top in a close game against Shorter University on Tuesday, March 3, winning 77-76.
It was recently announced that both the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will have a chance to advance to the NCAA Division II national tournament, as both teams have earned spots in the tournament’s South Region bracket.
The Bulldogs earned the seventh seed, and will face the two-seed Barry University (Florida), a member of the Sunshine State Conference. The Bulldogs are one of four GSC teams to earn bids into the tournament.
“I’m extremely proud of my teammates and our coaching staff for this huge accomplishment,” said Faller. “This means a lot to our program and to Union as well. We know the road ahead of us is rocky, but we also know that we can count on each other to get through it without doubt.”
The Lady Bulldogs earned the number one seed and will host the South Region tournament for the girls. The women’s team will open the tournament against eight-seeded Albany State (Georgia), out of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“We are very excited about hosting the tournament but even more excited about how far we’ve come along,” said DeAnna Thompson, senior physical education and health major and forward on the team. “I love my teammates and wouldn’t want to be with any other group of girls. Hosting the tournament and being the number one seed is an honorable feeling.”
Both the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs game times are yet to be announced for the weekend of March 13 and 14.
