JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men’s basketball team led wire-to-wire on Saturday night and moved to 2-0 in the GSC with an 83-73 home win over Mississippi College.
Kaleim Taylor tallied season-highs in both points (18) and rebounds (nine), while Jeremiah Littlepage did the same, collecting 15 points and 11 boards. CJ Jackson had 20 points, marking the sixth time the graduate transfer has scored 20 or more this season.
Union (6-2, 2-0) raced to an early 15-point lead at 27-12 and expanded the margin to 18 late in the first half. MC (5-5, 1-1) hit a three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer and entered the break down 47-32.
Union’s shooting from distance was scalding in the first 20 minutes: the Bulldogs as a team shot 8-9, while Jeremiah Littlepage and Jack Shackelford both finished the half–and the game–3-3 from beyond the arc. In so doing, Shackelford sunk his first collegiate three, while Littlepage dropped a trio of longballs for the first time.
The Bulldogs maintained their intermission lead in its entirely for most of the second half, growing it to 19 with less than eight minutes to play. MC began to chip away, however, and was within six points at 2:38. That was as close as the Choctaws would reach, and timely free throw makes sealed the 10-point Union win. The Bulldogs finished the night 22-25 (88.0%) from the line.
After the Bulldogs shot 55.6% (15-27) in the first half, Mississippi College tightened up, holding Union to 37.9% shooting (11-29) in the latter 20 minutes. The Choctaws, who shot at a rate of 40.9%, were led by Ty Briscoe’s 27. Rashad Bolden and Wesley Field scored 16 and 15, respectively.
Union will look to begin conference play 3-0 for the first time since 2021 on Friday at Christian Brothers (4-3, 0-2). A 7:00 p.m. tip is scheduled at Canale Arena.
Four Bulldogs average in double-figure scoring this season–Jackson (17.9), Parker Applegate (11.8), Taylor (11.3), and Littlepage (10.0). Jackson leads those with 20 or more three-point attempts at a .450 clip; Taylor is second at .391.
