KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Union College women’s basketball is bringing the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament Championship trophy home to Barbourville for the sixth time. The Bulldogs defeated Milligan College (Tenn.) to earn the 60-46 victory on Saturday at the MeadowView Marriott in Kingsport, Tenn.
With the win, the No. 3 seed Bulldogs earn a program-record 26th win of the season. Union ends the tournament with a 26-6 overall record. The No. 8 seed Buffaloes end their season with a 15-19 overall record.
As AAC Champions the Bulldogs earn a spot in the NAIA Division II National Championship Tournament. The tournament begins March 11 in Sioux City, Iowa.
TURNING POINT
Union was first on the board in the game as LeAsia Linton hit a 3-point shot to open up the contest. The Bulldogs earned a four-point lead after a Chariss Wilson field goal. Milligan fought back hard and earned a two-point lead to close out the first quarter.
The second quarter was a low scoring affair as both teams combined for only 16 points. A Linton 3-point basket tied the game at 21-21 going into the half.
The Bulldogs took the lead for good in the third quarter using a 12-0 run to build a 12 point lead. Milligan made a push at with 4:53 left in the third and went on a run of their own scoring six unanswered points to pull within six.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs came out ready to take the title. A J’Lyn Martin field goal started an 11-0 Union run with 4:34 left in the game to take a 15-point lead. The Bulldogs earned a 60-46 championship victory.
BULLDOG OF THE GAME
For the second straight game, LeAsia Linton broke her career-high record in points, scoring 24 in the contest. The junior guard also notched career-highs in field goals made (8) and free throws made (6). Linton also added four rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
TOURNAMENT HONORS
Brooke Hammonds earned the AAC Tournament MVP award while LeAsia Linton and Logan Calvert nabbed All-Tournament Team honors.
QUOTABLE
“In the second half I think we did a great job,” said head coach Dean Walsh. “I could not be prouder of LeAsia (Linton). She carried us in the tournament this year. Brooke (Hammonds) also had a great all-around game and Katrina (Johnson) made some excellent passes.”
“It was a total team effort. We did what we needed to do to win and that’s all that matters. I want to thank everyone that showed up,” added Walsh. “Without their support, we could not have gotten through this. It’s time to get ready for Iowa.”
BULLDOG NOTES
- Logan Calvert was the second Bulldog in double figures scoring 15 points. Calvert also contributed five rebounds, two blocks, and two assists.
- Brooke Hammonds grabbed 17 rebounds in the contest while also tying career-highs in offensive rebounds (7) and blocks (3).
- Union outrebounded Milligan 39-38 overall and 16-10 on the defensive end.
- The Bulldog block party was on display as the Bulldogs had five blocks.
- Union collected nine steals in the contest.
- The Bulldogs capitalized on Milligan’s mistakes scoring 27 points off turnovers.
- Union is the only school in AAC history to win both the men’s and women’s tournament titles in the same year. The Bulldogs accomplished the feat in 2014 and in 2020.
NEXT FOR THE BULLDOGS
Union will find out their NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament opponent during the NAIA selection show on Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. The selection show can be watched here.
