JACKSON, Tenn. – The Bulldogs fall to No. 9 University of West Georgia 93-79. Union’s record falls to 10-9 overall (7-8 GSC) while West Georgia’s record improves to 17-2 overall (13-2 GSC).
Before tonight’s game, Union sat in seventh place in the GSC standings with a 7-7 conference record. The Wolves of West Georgia entered the evening in first place with a 12-2 conference record.
Union began the game on a 10-2 run, giving them an early advantage over the No. 9 team in the country. Ahmad Johnson, coming of a 30-point double-double, tallied five points in the first five minutes for the Bulldogs. Jordan Pyke returned to the Bulldog lineup during the first period after missing the previous two games due to injury.
West Georgia climbed back into game, seeing baskets fall from four different Wolves. Union led by two with 12:30 left in the first half. Pyke made some noise early in his return, converting on back-to-back second-point opportunities under the rim. With 10:11 remaining the Bulldogs held a one-point lead over West Georgia.
West Georgia grabbed their first lead of the game with a Zawdie Jackson layup. Jackson, West Georgia’s best scorer, recorded six points in the first 12 minutes of the game. Union quickly tied the game up with a beautiful finish in the lane from Jeremiah Littlepage.
West Georgia took advantage of a Bulldog two-minute scoreless streak by retaking the lead and extending it to six points. Ahmad Johnson ended the scoreless streak with a three-pointer in the face of a Bulldog defender at the top of the key. With under four minutes remaining in the first, Union trailed West Georgia 32-29.
Union’s offensive struggle continued to end the half. Union shot 33.33 percent from the floor, including a 21.4% clip from beyond the arc. Union was outgained in rebounds (24-20) and assists (5-3). Union sent West Georgia to the free throw line 13 times in the first half with the Wolves converting on ten of the attempts.
Since being knotted up at 22, West Georgia outscored Union 23-9 over a 6:24 stretch and shot 6-9 from the floor. Zawdie Jackson scored 15 points in the first half, leading all scorers.
Union climbed back into the game with a 9-0 run, pulling the game back to within 10 points. With under 11 minutes remaining in the game, Pyke finished a fastbreak off with a layup to pull Union to a seven-point deficit. Marlon Smith extended the lead back to 10 for the Wolves in transition. The Bulldogs trailed 65-55 with 10:32 remaining.
West Georgia’s offense was too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. West Georgia out-gained Union in rebounds (47-35), and steals (6-2). Zawdie Jackson led all scorers with 34 points. Jordan Pyke and Devaki Garr combined for 37 points in the Bulldog loss.
The Bulldogs next game is on the road in Memphis on February 1st. Union will battle it out with Christian Brothers starting at 7:00 p.m.
