JACKSON, Tenn. – The No. 8/16 Lady Bulldogs collected their twelfth win of the season, defeating the University of Montevallo 79-73. Union’s record improves to 12-1 overall (6-1 GSC) while Montevallo’s record falls to 7-4 overall (5-3 GSC). Mark Campbell picked up his 725th career victory in the New Year’s Eve matchup.
Coming into the matchup today, Union sat in third place in the GSC standing, trailing Lee University (7-0 GSC) and Valdosta State University (6-1 GSC). Montevallo sat in a two-way tie with the University of West Florida for fourth place (5-2 GSC).
Coach Campbell on the win: “This afternoon was hard. We struggled to get flow throughout the game. Montevallo caused alot of it and we did some things as well to disrupt our flow. However, the only way we will grow is through struggle and adversity on the court. Ultimately, we will grow from this game and continue to get better. We have a special group of players and look forward to playing again this Tuesday.”
Montevallo started the game on a brisk 5-0 run before Union brought the game back to 5-4. Macey Lee and Lauren West both were able to convert to get the Lady Bulldogs on the board. Through the first three minutes of the game, Union’s defense forced two turnovers off steals (Jazalyn Anousinh, Lauren West). This game featured the two Gulf South leaders in steals, Marissa Snodgrass and Shanique Lucas.
Union secured their first lead of the game thanks to a Brooke Hampel layup, assisted by Emma Kallas. Union, a team known for their three-point shooting, was able to find success in the paint versus Montevallo. Outscoring Montevallo in the paint 24-6 in the first period of play. Lauren West led all Union shooters with seven points, three coming from beyond the arc. The first period of play for the Lady Bulldogs featured eight players tallying points.
At the start of the second period, Union completed an 11-2 run, stretching their lead to 11 points. Montevallo came roaring back, rattling off a 7-1 run to bring the deficit to four points. The Lady Bulldog’s physicality in the paint and in defensive transition was the story of the first half. Union forced 17 turnovers which led to 20 points off of turnovers. Union outscored Montevallo in the paint 34-14.
Montevallo shot 50% from the field in the first half and out rebounded Union 18-16. Isabel Grimes led all scorers with nine points going into intermission. Union was paced offensively by three different players. Macey Lee, Lauren West, and Leah Cauble all tallied seven points in the first half of action. Emma Kallas and Kieli Robinson both collected six points to help stretch the Lady Bulldog lead to nine. Anousinh led all players in assists with four. Shanique Lucas, Emma Kallas, and Macey Lee all shared the team-high in rebounds (3).
Olivia Lee got the Lady Bulldogs on the board out of the gate with a three-pointer from the right wing. Both teams opened the second half of action exchanging blows. Through the first five minutes of the second half, the two teams combined for five three-pointers. Cali Smallwood cut the Union lead down to four, connecting on her second three-pointer of the third period. Smallwood surpassed Isabel Grimes for the team lead in points with 12, eight in the third period.
Montevallo drew the game even at 53-53 following a Lia Edwards layup. Grimes gave the Falcons their first lead since the first period with a three-pointer from the corner. At the end of the third period, the Lady Bulldog trailed Montevallo by a score of 60-56.
In the final 10 minutes of action Union’s full-court press caused issues for Montevallo, allowing Union to draw within a point with six minutes left to play. Emma Kallas retook the lead for the Lady Bulldogs with 5:27 left (65-64). Kallas then extended the lead to three points after fighting through contact in the post to get a layup to fall. Macey Lee entered double-digit scoring with a jumper to push the Union lead to five. Brooke Hampel further extended the lead to eight points with her first three-pointer of the evening.
Union completed an 11-0 run that lasted for over six minutes, helping cap off the Lady Bulldogs fourth period comeback. Emma Kallas led Union in the scoring department with 14 points and also led the Lady Bulldogs in rebounds with eight. Jazalyn Anousinh paced the Union in assists and steals with five. Three Lady Bulldogs surpassed double-digit scoring in the win (Emma Kallas, Macey Lee, Lauren West). Union shot 47.6% from the field and led Montevallo in rebounds (40-37), turnovers (18-23), bench points (49-17), and steals (14-12).
The Lady Bulldog will look to make it three straight on January 2nd on the road in Montgomery, Alabama. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
