BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Union University women’s basketball team used a 29-12 third quarter to pull away from and defeat West Florida 83-64 in the Gulf South Conference semifinals on Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Bulldogs (28-3) advance to their eighth GSC title game since Union became eligible for the competition in the 2014-15 season and will face Alabama Huntsville in Sunday’s noon championship.
“Today was really good for us,” said Union head coach Mark Campbell, who was just named the GSC women’s basketball Coach of the Year for the sixth time. “West Florida came out ready and put us on our heels, especially in the second quarter.”
West Florida (20-10) won the second frame 19-12, and the teams went to halftime tied at 35. Union opened the second half with back-to-back threes by Jazalyn Anousinh and Olivia Lee, leading to an 11-0 run, as the Lady Bulldogs established control of the game. Union held a 17-point advantage after the third period and led by as many as 24 late in the fourth.
“I thought we came out after half and responded like we have for the last month,” said Campbell, whose squad hasn’t lost since January 16. “We still have some things to clean up, but I’m proud of this group and the sacrificial effort they give every day.”
Courtney Zensen led Union with 18 points on 3-4 three-point shooting. Alexis Callins, who finished 3-6 from beyond the arc, scored 16, while Olivia Lee and Emily Jones both had 10. Anousinh was credited with six assists in her season’s seventh game with a half-dozen dimes or more.
Union shot 40.6% (13-22) beyond the arc in the victory and sank five threes in the first and third quarters. UAH, which Union held to 23.5% from three, sank just one shot from deep in the second half and went 0-6 in the third quarter. Union tallied 16 steals and forced 24 UAH turnovers.
Union moves to 21-5 in all-time competition against the Argos and 3-0 in GSC tournament play.
