Tensions were high last night as the Lady Bulldogs took on the Lady Statesmen of Delta State University. With the Lady Bulldogs dealing with a down year, this game felt more important, not because it would help them get a higher seed in the conference tournament but because it would help them get in the tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs took care of the first half without any problems. One might even say they were finally hitting on all cylinders. Chelsea Bodiford, graduate student, hit two quick threes back-to-back in the first half to give Union a small cushion.
The Lady Bulldogs led the Statesmen 25-8 with 7:25 left in the half, but gave up nine points in the remaining time and only scored a single free throw to enter into halftime.
Delta State made a run for the lead opening the second half scoring four straight points and kept Union scoreless early in the third. Union finally answered with a 14-0 shooting spree. Delta State scored once more in the quarter, but Tiffany Rechis, sophomore education major, made a big 4-point play to end the quarter and keep the Lady Bulldogs on top.
Delta State gave one final push to end the game as they outscored the Lady Bulldogs 33-13 in the fourth quarter. Jada Perkins, sophomore undecided major, was on the free throw line multiple times at the end of the game as Delta State was battling for possessions. Though it was an intense ending, the Lady Bulldogs beat Delta State 59-56.
Though the Lady Bulldogs took home the W, the men’s team did not.
Union’s Bulldogs were strong in the first half. The Statesmen scored on almost every possession and the Bulldogs took turns with runs and a couple of scoreless possessions.
Tray Boyd had a phenomenal game last night shooting the lights out of the gym– something he does best. Boyd’s 3-point shooting kept the Bulldogs in the game.
Delta State was up 30-22 with four minutes left in the half when Union went on a 13-1 run tying the game at 31-31. The Statesmen scored five quick points however, running to the locker room up by 3.
To begin the second half, the teams traded goals relentlessly until Union surged ahead on a 9-0 run. The ball was passed around from teammate to teammate for the Bulldogs until Delta State responded with a 23-3 run.
Delta State closed the game with a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left and took the victory, 85-75.
Union travels to Mississippi College, Saturday, February 18, 2017 to play their last road game.