The Union University Men’s Basketball team pulled off a 75-73 upset victory over West Alabama (19-7, 13-5) at Fred DeLay Gymnasium on Senior Night. The Bulldogs improved to 12-14 on the season as well as 6-12 in the GSC Conference.
The game was thrilling from start to finish. If you wanted to see drama and tempers flare, you got it. If you wanted see numerous lead changes, you got it. If you wanted to see the game come down to the final possession, you got it. And most importantly of all, if you wanted to see the Bulldogs score a game winning shot, you definitely got it (courtesy of freshman forward Tevin Florent).
The Bulldogs struggled early in the game as West Alabama built a 16-6 lead. However, senior forward Charlie Wilson would score a much needed and-one to cut the UWA lead to 7. Excellent defense and solid execution on the offensive end would allow the Bulldogs to enter halftime with a 36-33 lead.
Union would lead by as much as 10 in the second half, but West Alabama found ways to stay in the game. When UWA guards Charles Eaton (18 points) and Josh Fleming (15 points) found their rhythm, the Bulldogs had trouble slowing them down. Down 73-70, freshman guard Tyree Boykin made his 6th three to tie the game for Union with less than a minute to go. Tevin Florent would then have the defining moment of his young career with the Bulldogs as he blocked the UWA shot with less than 10 seconds left in the game. Senior guard KC Goodwin then found the sprinting Florent for the game winning layup with less than 3 seconds left.
When the Bulldogs were down by 10 early, senior guard Nick Velasquez knew that they could easily get back in the game.
“Coach Niven told us just to stay in it and keep battling on every play,” he said. “We knew the points would come, but we also knew that we had to keep getting stops on defense.”
Tyree Boykin led the Bulldogs in scoring with 32 points and 6 threes. Charlie Wilson would also add 10 points and 4 rebounds.
The Union University women’s basketball team also continued their excellent play with a 101-82 victory over West Alabama. They improved to 24-2 overall and an incredible 17-1 in the GSC conference.
Much like the men’s team, the Lady Bulldogs got off to a rough start with some poor decision-making and shot selection and were down 7-3 a few minutes into the game. However, better spacing and ball movement allowed them to quickly enforce their will on the game with a 15-0 run. At the end of the first half, they led 53-36.
The outcome was never in doubt during the second half. Though the two teams traded baskets for much of the third quarter, the Lady Bulldogs were still able to extend their lead to 24. A continuous flurry of three pointers, seven of which were made by freshman Emily Beard, allowed the Lady Bulldogs to coast throughout the fourth quarter. They would also finish with 17 threes, a season high against a GSC opponent.
For senior forward Sara Lytle, there was no doubt what rallied the Lady Bulldogs when they struggled early in the game.
“Bria was just awesome,” Lytle said. “She really just came out and started killing it for us.”
Gaines stuffed the stat sheet with 24 points on 10-13 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds and three blocks. Although she missed her first four shots, senior guard Chelsey Shumpert continude her excellent scoring campaign, finishing with 22 points. Emily Beard looked like the Klay Thompson to Shumpert’s Stephen Curry as she scored a career-high 24 points on 7-9 shooting from three. Even though she didn’t score any points, junior guard Jada Perkins ran the game in a way that would make Chris Paul proud, finishing with 10 assists and only one turnover.
Both teams will be back in action against West Florida on Saturday, Feb. 17.
