Balanced attack paces No. 15 Union to 75-59 conference win

Published 1:05 pm Friday, January 5, 2018

BARBOURVILLE — Bolstered by a balanced scoring attack, No. 15 Union College registered an impressive 75-59 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) win over visiting Bryan on Thursday.

With the victory, Union improves to 10-6 overall and 7-2 in league action. Bryan is now 9-8 overall and 4-5 in the AAC.

Five Bulldogs scored in double figures with Stuart Jackson leading the way with 16 points. Jakobe Wharton had a career night with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Austin Cummins and Dominique Lindsey each added 12. Lance Blakely rounded the scoring out with 11.

Email newsletter signup

Play was tight during the first half with score tied five times and the lead changing hands 12 times. Down 24-22 with 4:24 to go in the period, Union closed out the frame on an 11-3 run to take a 33-27 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Bulldogs poured it on and never looked back. Union used a 31-12 stretch to turn a seven-point advantage into a 73-47 cushion. Cummins capped the rally with a 3-pointer at the 5:03 mark.

Bryan whittled the lead down to 16, but the damage had been done as Union locked up the 75-59 win.

The Bulldogs outrebounded the Lion 41-33. After Wharton’s nine boards, three others hauled in six rebounds apiece.

Oteriah Lee and Brice Cusick paced Bryan with 11 points each, while Caleb Tuck chipped in 10.

Up Next

Union pays Point a visit on Saturday for an AAC battle. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.