JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men’s basketball team fell 63-60 to the Montevallo Falcons on Thursday evening in the Fred DeLay Gymnasium despite 26 points from Jeremiah Littlepage and Parker Applegate’s 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in Bulldog leading scorer CJ Jackson’s second straight absence.
Union outscored Montevallo 33-27 in the second half but was unable to overcome a nine-point halftime deficit. The Bulldogs last led with eight minutes to play at 50-49. A pair of Kaleim Taylor free throws drew Union within one with 18 seconds before Brandon Fussell sealed the win from the stripe on the opposite end.
Union quickly erased Montevallo’s halftime margin with a 12-2 run and took the lead at 39-38. Soon after ties at 41 and 43, Montevallo regained its edge and led by five with two minutes remaining.
Montevallo experienced its worst three-point shooting night of the season–the Falcons finished just 3-18 (.167) from beyond the arc–and went 0-8 from distance in the second half. Union’s seven three-point makes in 25 attempts (.280) included four by Littlepage and two by Applegate.
Overall, Union outshot Montevallo .375 to .352, but the Falcons had a considerable advantage at the line, 22-27 (.815) to 11-14 (.786).
Fussell led the Falcon scoring effort with 20, while Jaylen Curry (17) and Camden Andrews (15) joined him in double-figures.
Judson Bjornstad approached a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds.
On a three-game skid, the Bulldogs will look to return to the win column against AUM on Saturday. Tip-off in the Fred is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
