Men’s Basketball | Wed, Jan. 15, 2020 at 10:30 PMShare3BOX SCORERECAP

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – It was anything but easy, but No. 19 Union College men’s basketball collected its seventh win a row with an 81-75 decision over visiting Bryan College (Tenn.) on Wednesday in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.

The win improves the Bulldogs to 14-5 overall and 11-2 in the AAC, while the Lions fall to 9-9 overall and 8-6 in conference play.

LIONS NOT EASY TO TAME

The first half was a tight, back-and-forth affair as Union took a slim 38-37 lead into the break. The Bulldogs took the lead for good on a Blake Ervin 3-pointer with 16:37 to play and appeared to have the game under control as they pushed the margin to 16 late in the game. However, the Lions would not back down.

An 11-3 stretch allowed Union to open up a 77-61 cushion with 3:37 to play. Austin Cumminsnetted five points during the rally with Richard Brown adding four. Yet, Bryan did not quit, using a 10-0 surge to slice the deficit to 77-71 with 1:11 to play. The Lions got the margin down to 79-75 after a K.J. Hawkins basket with 12 seconds remaining. Cummins, though, drained a pair of free throws in the waning moments to lock up the 81-75 Bulldog victory.

STAT OF THE GAME

The free-throw line proved to be the difference for the Bulldogs. The Lions made more field goals (29-26) with the Bulldogs making one more 3-pointer (9-8). But it was the charity stripe where Union found great success, sinking 20-of-28 (71.4 percent). Meanwhile, Bryan went 9-for-13 (69.2 percent) at the line.

BULLDOG OF THE GAME

While every Bulldog who stepped on the court contributed to the win in one way or another, Cummins registered a solid, all-around game. He led Union with 16 points and five assists to go along with his six rebounds and two steals. Cummins’ shot was off in the field in going 3-for-11, but he sank 8-of-11 free throws to account for half his point total.

BULLDOG NOTES

• The win avenges a 76-66 loss Union suffered at Bryan earlier in the season.
• In all, four Bulldogs scored in double figures. After Cummins, Shylier Ringgold led the way with 12, while Jakobe Wharton and Markelle Turner each knocked in 11.
• Brown nearly posted a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds.
• The win is No. 199 for Kevin Burton as the Union’s top dog.
• Union registered 10 steals, marking the sixth time overall and third in a row it had 10 or more in a game.

NEXT UP FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union hits the road for its next AAC clash, visiting Allen University (S.C.) on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

75Bryan

81(19)UnionLocation: Barbourville, Ky.

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