JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men’s basketball team drop home game to Auburn University at Montgomery 79-78. The Bulldogs are now 11-12 overall (8-11 GSC), while the Warhawks are 10-14 overall (6-13 GSC).
Union ended the first half out-scoring Auburn Montgomery 35-30 despite turning the ball over ten times. Union led by as many as 10 points in the half. The Bulldogs shot 44% from the floor including 38.5% from three-point range. Union out-rebounded the AUM 21-16.
At the half, Ahmad Johnson led all scorers with 14 points off of 5-9 shooting (2-4 3 PT). Johnson also shared a lead for the team-high in rebounds with five. Jeremiah Littlepage led the Bulldogs in assists with three and blocks with two. Eight different Bulldogs recorded at least a point in the first half.
Union stretched their lead to 14 points with a 7-0 run featuring Devaki Garr’s second three-pointer of the game. The Bulldogs led 46-32 with 16 minutes remaining in the game. Union held a 10-point lead for the next six minutes of action. Up to this point, two Bulldogs were in double-digit scoring.
Jordan Pyke picked up a key block with eight minutes remaining in the game, silencing the Warhawk’s opportunity to cut into the Union lead. With five minutes remaining, AUM pulled within 10 points, bringing the score to 70-62. Jeremiah Littlepage hit on a mid-range jumper to pad the Bulldog lead.
Auburn Montgomery pulled back within 10 with a Joseph Lanzi floater, 72-64 Bulldogs. Jalil Robinson and Jalen Gaston then brought the Warhawks within four with back-to-back layups. Lanzi finished the 9-0 AUM run with an up-court dish to Jalil Robinson. Union held a one-point lead with just over two minutes remaining.
Auburn Montgomery took their first lead since the 15-minute mark in the first half with a Malachi Rhodes layup. Trailing by one, Jeremiah Littlepage fought through contact to score under the basket and draw the whistle. After hitting on the and-one opportunity, AUM tied the game back up at 77. With four seconds remaining, Layne Sarver drew a foul beyond the arc and converted on one of three opportunities at the charity stripe.
Jalil Robinson hit a layup at the buzzer to defeat the Bulldogs 79-78 and overcome a late double-digit lead.
Ahmad Johnson led all Bulldogs in scoring with 25 points. Jeremiah Littlepage recorded a double-double, recording 16 points and 11 assists.
Up next, the Bulldogs will play the University of Montevallo. The game will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 4:00 p.m.
