CLEVELAND, Miss. – On Saturday afternoon, the No. 19/20 Union University women’s basketball team won 71-67 over Delta State University. The Lady Bulldogs also won their first matchup of the season against Delta State 85-59 at home on Dec. 5. Union is now 17-3 overall (12-1 GSC), while Delta State falls to 11-8 overall (7-6 GSC).
Entering the game, senior Shylee Morrison needed only two points to earn 500 for her career. She met and exceeded that milestone when she made a three-pointer with 2:27 seconds left in the first quarter. Morrison totaled eight points in the game and led the team in assists with five. She also grabbed a season-high six rebounds.
The third quarter was key for the Lady Bulldogs in the contest. Going into halftime, Delta State led 42-36. However, a 23-point third period, punctuated by six three-pointers, gave Union the lead. Delta State won the fourth quarter 16-12, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lady Bulldogs.
Delta State outshot Union 48 percent to 41.1 percent from the field, 38.9 percent to 38.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 80 percent to 66.7 percent from the foul line. But Union forced 18 Delta State turnovers to their own 13 turnovers.
Olivia Lee led Union in scoring with 20 points. This was her fourth straight matchup scoring double-digits, and it was the second-most points scored in a game in her career. Bethany Dillard and Emily Jones followed Lee with 14 points and 11 points, respectively.
Jazalyn Anounish grabbed a career-high nine rebounds to lead the team, and Alexis Callins had two blocks and four steals, the most for Union in those two categories and season highs for Callins. Callins also had a season-high four rebounds.
Delta State’s Grace Watson recorded a double-double in the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Dakiya Toney led Delta State in scoring with 15 points.
Up next, the Lady Bulldogs return home to face Christian Brothers University. Tipoff is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m.
