JACKSON, Tenn. – The Bulldogs defeat the GSC-leading University of Alabama at Huntsville by a score of 87-82. Union is now 8-6 (5-5 GSC) while UAH falls to 10-4 (8-2 GSC).
Before tonight’s game, UAH sat on top of the GSC standings with an 8-1 conference record. Union was tied for the seventh spot in the rankings before topping the conference-leading Chargers. The Bulldogs are now winners of five out of their last six conference games.
Alabama at Huntsville jumped out to an early lead after completing a 10-2 run to begin the first half before the Bulldogs offense roared back to rattling off a 12-0 run of their own. Union hunted the three-ball early, taking 17 three-pointers in the first 13 minutes of play. The early portions of the first half saw three lead changes.
Isaiah Victor and Justin Debuck knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, giving Union a six-point lead with just under six minutes left in the game. Alabama at Huntsville’s Tommy Murr led the Charger offense early in this game, collecting 10 points off of 4-8 shooting nearing the end of the first half.
With a two-point lead and four minutes remaining in the half Isaiah Victor knocked down a deep three-pointer over a Charger defender, giving him nine points in nine minutes of court time. The guard from Lathrop, California is a true three-point threat for David Niven‘s offensive attack. Parker Applegate followed up Victor’s shot with his second three of the game, giving him six on the night.
Union continued to shoot the ball with confidence down the stretch in the first half. Jordan Pyke hit his first three-pointer of the night, for a team-high 11 points. In transition, Lane Sarver came up with a steal and an easy layup to extend the Union lead to 12 points.
With under 20 seconds left to play, the Bulldogs fluid ball movement found Pyke in the corner for a baseline drive and a slam. Union led UAH 49-34 going into intermission.
The Bulldog’s came out of the half continuing their hot shooting. Union saw baskets fall for Jeremiah Littlepage and Layne Sarver, extending the Bulldog lead to 14. The Chargers quickly got back into the game with a 9-2 run, making it a 6-point Union lead with 13 minutes left to play.
Devaki Garr found his way on the board with a huge answer to the UAH run, connecting from three-point range in front of the Union bench. Alabama at Huntsville drew back within 10 following a layup from Tanner Shulman. Union led 64-55 with 11 minutes remaining in the game.
The Chargers continued to chip away at the Bulldog lead by finding ways to get to the line. Union’s led by just seven points with under six minutes to go. Justin Debuck connected for his third three-pointer with 4:30 remaining in the game, quickly answered with a Charger three-pointer from Matthew Thurman.
Leading by just six in the final two minutes, Jordan Pyke drew a charge the Charger’s Daniel Saylors to give the Bulldogs the ball back with 1:40 left in the game. union was able to execute the key possession by beating a full-court press for another Jordan Pyke slam dunk.
UAH made a late push to a one-possession game that ended with a missed three-pointer rebounded by Pyke to seal his fourth double-double of the season. Pyke led all scorers with 20 points and led all Union players in rebounds with 10. Jeremiah Littlepage led all Bulldogs in assists with 5. Justin Debuck led all players in steals with three.
The Bulldogs will be back in action on January 11th versus Shorter University. That game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
