JACKSON, Tenn. – The No. 5/11 Lady Bulldogs defeated Lee University by a score of 69-49. Union’s record improves to 26-2 (21-2 GSC) while Lee University’s record falls to 18-9 overall (16-7 GSC).
The Lady Bulldogs came into the game ranking 2nd in the South Region rankings (Valdosta State University is No. 1) and Lee came into the game ranked 6th. In the region, Union is 21-2 overall and Lee is 17-8 overall.
The energy in the Fred DeLay Gymnasium was unmatched in this GSC-powerhouse rematch, as over 900 fans once again filled the stands. The last time these two programs met, Union came out on top 98-95 in an overtime road victory. Union is seeking an opportunity to host the south regional, while Lee is fighting for their selection to the regional.
The first quarter of action provided plenty of action for the Union and Lee faithful, ending in a 16-16 tie. Courtney Zensen scored six points off of two three-pointers for the Lady Bulldogs and Anna Muhonen scored 6 points off of 3-4 shooting for the Lady Flames. The quarter saw one lead change and nine turnovers, with every possession change receiving an incredible roar from the crowd.
After another quarter of back-and-forth basketball, Union went into the half with a 31-25 lead. Emma Kallas found her rhythm in the post in the second quarter, picking up six points in the quarter. Kallas led Union with eight points going into the half. Brooke Hampel, who perhaps played with the most physicality in the half for the Lady Bulldogs, racked up nine rebounds for a new season-high (leading all players). For Lee, Muhonen led the Lady Flames with eight points at the break.
Hampel tallied her first double-double of the season, second of her career, with six minutes remaining in the third period. She ended the third period with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Union ended the third quarter with a 54-41 lead. Even though the Lady Bulldogs held a 13-point lead, it felt like the game was still far from over. Lauren West returned to the Union lineup after missing several games with injury and she did not disappoint. West, one of the top three-point shooters in the country, knocked down three long-range shots up to this point in the game. Mallory Hampton, who is the leading scorer for Lee on the season, is up to 14 points (leading all scorers).
As the clock ticked away and turnovers compiled, you could feel the life being sucked out of the very talented Lee University team. The Lady Bulldogs extended their lead to 20 points with six minutes left in the game, thanks to a Leah Caubel three-pointer from the top of the key. The Lady Bulldogs held that lead heading into the final moments of the game, dominating the fourth quarter of action at the Fred DeLay Gymnasium.
The Lady Bulldogs had a strong defensive showing in this one. Limiting Lee to 2-16 three-point shooting. Union capitalized on 24 Lee turnovers with 29 points. Union led the game for over 30 total minutes of game time.
Kallas led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with 16 points and missed a double-double by one rebound. Brooke Hampel ended with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulldogs shot 35.7 percent from the floor, including 32.1 percent from beyond the arc. Shanique Lucas added 7 more steals for 86 total on the season, a GSC-best.
The No. 5/11 Lady Bulldogs senior night is on Saturday, March 2. Union will take on Shorter University at 2:00 p.m.
