This week two members of the women’s basketball team were named athletes of the week.
Latesa Mclaughlin, a graduate student obtaining her master’s degree in social work, is senior point guard for the team.
Mclaughlin averaged 10.2 points, 5.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game and shot 89 percent from the free throw line.
She scored a season high of 22 points against the University of North Alabama earlier in the season on Dec. 14, 2013.
Amy Philamlee, a junior exercise science major, also is a guard for the Lady Bulldogs.
Philamlee averaged 17.6 points per game and shot 43 percent from beyond the arc and 87 percent from the free throw line.
She scored a season-high 32 points on two different occasions, during the team’s season opener against Reinhardt University and again against the University of Alabama Huntsville on Jan. 23.
As two of Union’s starters, Mclaughlin and Philamlee pose as the dynamic duo running the backcourt for the Bulldogs.
They also average the most minutes per game for the team, with Mclaughlin averaging 37.2 and Philamlee averaging 33.9.
The girls entered post-season play with an overall record of 20-6 and 15-5 in the Gulf South Conference. The Lady Bulldogs finished third in the conference despite still being ineligible to compete in NCAA post-season play.
“I feel this season went really well. One of our goals was to win conference and even though that didn’t happen, I really believe we had a good season. I think the best is yet to come with us,” said Philamlee.
Mclaughlin and Philamlee were both recently named to the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association Mideast Region first team during the region tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs were also named the Mideast Region Tournament Champs as they beat Lee University in the championship match 69-66 on March 15.
By winning the regional tournament, the girls punched their ticket into the NCCAA National Tournament in Winona Lake, Ind., earning a No. 2 overall seed.
Philamlee had this to say when asked about how she feels the team is preparing for the upcoming tournament.
“I’m excited for tournament play. I think our team is focused and ready to take care of business at nationals. Our goal is to win our last game this year and bring back a national championship. It will be tough but I believe in my team,” said Philamlee.
Mclaughlin also expressed a great deal of excitement for the tournament in Indiana and commented on how well she feels the team is preparing for nationals.
“I feel great going into tournament play; this is my favorite time of the year. I believe and trust in my coaches and my entire team as a collective group,” Mclaughlin said. “If I had the choice to choose who I would go into battle with every day and every game, there is no doubt that I would choose these ladies that I am surrounded by daily.”
Mclaughlin added, “I believe overall the team is focused on preparing to compete for the last day of competition (March 22). Each day we focus on improving our mistakes from the day before. From there everything will take care of itself. We have an all-in mentality as we approach the end of this season and what will be for me my career as a basketball player.”
On March 22 in Winona Lake, Ind., the Lady Bulldogs beat rival Lee University 73-64, to become the Div. I NCCAA National Champions.
