JACKSON, Tenn. – On Thursday night, the No. 17/15 Union University women’s basketball team clinched a berth to the Truist GSC Championship with their 106-68 victory over the University of Montevallo. This was the first time since Jan. 4 that the Lady Bulldogs had put up triple digits. With the win, Union improves to 19-3 overall (14-1 GSC), while Montevallo drops 9-12 overall (7-9 GSC).
Union controlled the game from the beginning, jumping out to a 21-10 lead courtesy of an Alexis Callins three-pointer with 2:56 seconds left in the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs tallied 51 total points in the first half and then came close to doubling that number in the third quarter when they scored 40, a program high point total in a single period. This was the third time this season that Union has scored 40 points in a quarter. The quarter was highlighted by 63 percent (17-27) shooting from the field and 62.5 percent (5-8) shooting from beyond the arc.
The Falcons outscored the Lady Bulldogs 18-15 in the fourth period, but it wasn’t enough as Union grabbed the 38-point win. The Lady Bulldogs forced 32 Montevallo turnovers and only committed 13 of their own. Union also outshot Montevallo 51.3 percent to 43.1 percent from the field, 43.3 percent to 36.4 percent from three-point range, and 72.2 percent to 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
Jeremia Montgomery led the Lady Bulldogs with 20 points, six boards, 8-11 shooting from the field, and 4-6 shooting from the foul line. Alexis Callins, Emily Jones, and Olivia Lee joined Montgomery in double-digit scoring with 18, 15, and 13 respectively. Bethany Dillard, along with Callins and Jones, made three three-pointers each to account for nine of Union’s 13 makes from behind the arc. Jazalyn Anousinh led Union in assists with six, and Macey Lee tied her season high steal total with a team-high six.
Montevallo’s Elisa Saffold led the Falcons with 18 points. She also grabbed six rebounds, one less than Lia Edwards’ total of seven. Ramie Reid and Aubrey Sorrells scored double-digit points as well with Reid putting up 16 and Sorrells tallying 12.
Up next, Union will face Auburn University Montgomery at home in Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 2:00 p.m.
