BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – No. 16 Union College survived a scare, as it held on for the 76-73 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) victory over visiting Truett McConnell (Ga.) on Saturday.
The Bulldogs improve to 15-7 overall and 12-3 in the AAC, while the Bears drop to 14-10 overall and 7-8 in league play.
On a night when there were several big contributors to the victory, K.J. Duronslet registered a dominant performance as he contributed in every facet of the game. He recorded a career-high 19 rebounds, which ties him for the most by any player in the AAC this season. Duronslet was four away from tying the school record, which was set by Bill Trent during the 1963-64 season.
Duronslet also knocked in 14 points for his third double-double of the year. And the junior guard also had career highs in steals (six) and blocks (five) to go along with three assists.
Lance Blakely also registered his third double-double of 2017-18 with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Dominique Lindsey netted a game-high 20 points. Stuart Jackson added 15 points, hitting 7-of-10 from the foul line.
The Bulldogs led the majority of the game, but they had to fend off the hard-charging Bears to record the three-point victory.
A tight first half saw neither team get much of an advantage. However, Union closed out the period on a 6-0 run, which included back-to-back, electrifying dunks from Jackson, to head into the break up 41-34.
As the second half unfolded, Union appeared on its way to an easy win. A Lindsey bucket with 15:28 left put the Bulldogs up 55-39 for the team’s largest lead of the night.
Yet, the Bears kept battling back. Down 10, Truett McConnell went on a 9-0 run to cut the margin to 72-71 with 12 seconds to play. Over the next 10 seconds, Union went 4-of-6 at the line with Truett McConnell going 2-for-4 to make it 76-73 with 1.5 seconds to go.
The Bears’ Christian Davis attempted a desperation 3-pointer just past midcourt, but Jackson was there to block it, denying it a chance to even get on frame in preserving the 76-73 Bulldog win.
Filipe Goncalves led Truett McConnell in scoring with 14 points, while Jacob Booke and Davis added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Calvin White came off the finish to notch a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The victory avenges an 83-65 loss at Truett McConnell on Dec. 2.
Up Next
Union hits the road for a date with Reinhardt (Ga.) on Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
