JACKSON, Tenn. – The Bulldogs defeated Shorter University by a score of 110-66. Union’s record improves to 14-14 (11-14 GSC) while Shorter University’s record falls to 3-25 overall (1-23 GSC).
The Bulldogs held their senior night, honoring Dusan Djordjevic and Justin Debuck.
There were major stipulations on this game, as the Bulldogs sat on the bubble for a Gulf South Conference tournament appearance. For Union to get into the eight-team playoff, the Bulldogs would have to defeat Shorter or have the University of Montevallo lose their final game of the regular season.
In the first ten minutes of the game, both teams played stingy defense, as one team is trying to play spoiler (Shorter) and the other team is fighting for their spot at the table in the 2023-24 Gulf South Conference tournament. Both teams forced two turnovers and had a shooting percentage less than 34% from the field. Combined, both programs started 1-7 from three-point range. The score was all knotted at 12 with just under 10 minutes to play in the half.
In the final ten minutes of the half it was more of the same between these two programs. Both teams battled, back-and-forth. After Union knocked down a three-pointer, Shorter answered with a long ball of their own. Union finally got some breathing room with a 5-0 run inside the three-minute mark. The Bulldogs caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down five three-pointers in nine attempts. Freshman Devaki Garr led Union in points after the first half with eight off of 2-4 shooting (2-3 3PT). Parker Applegate collected six rebounds in the half which led the team. Jordan Pyke a team-high of three assists. Union ended the half with a ten-point, 39-29 lead.
Shorter opened the second half on a 10-point run, tying the game at 43 points. The back and forth scoring continued between Shorter and Union. With eight minutes left in the game, Justin Debuck was the lone Bulldog in double-digit scoring with 11 points. Jeremiah Littlepage was up to nine points, Devaki Garr eight points, Ahmad Johnson seven points, and Jordan Pyke seven points. Shorter led 57-55 with five and a half minutes remaining in the game.
Union leaned on their veteran big man Littlepage to get buckets when needed. Littlepage scored twice in the post during a two-minute Shorter scoreless streak. Johnson found pay dirt shortly after, connecting on a floater in the lane to give Union a 63-61 lead with 1:57 left on the clock. Shorter’s Landon Tillman tied the game with a jumper from the elbow. Once again, Littlepage came through in the clutch throwing down a dunk to retake the lead. Shorter retook the lead once more following a Brent Bowman three-pointer.
With 37 seconds remaining, Johnson found himself at the line for three free throws and connected on all three of them to give Union a possession advantage, 68-66. With 32 seconds left and a two-point lead, the Bulldogs could not allow a three-pointer, but the Hawks would get one off. After clanking against the rim, the Hawks grabbed the rebound and received a technical for trying to call a timeout with none remaining. Johnson knocked down both free throw opportunities, securing a Gulf South Conference tournament-birth for the Bulldogs.
Littlepage ended the game with 17 points, Johnson 14 points, and Debuck 11 points. Union shot 44.8% from the floor, including 33.3% from three-point range. Union only turned the ball over five times and forced 12 Shorter turnovers. The Bulldogs will make their eighth GSC tournament appearance dating back to 2013.
The Bulldogs play next on Tuesday, Mar. 5th. Union will play on the road at No. 1 GSC seed, West Georgia. Start time is 6:30 p.m. central time. Visit uuathletics.com for updates.
