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.
Stats Overview
| FINAL – MEN’S BASKETBALL | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan (Tenn.) 9-9, 8-6 AAC | 37 | 38 | 75 |
| Union (Ky.) 14-5, 11-2 AAC | 38 | 43 | 81 |
| Jan. 15, 2020 | |||
| Barbourville, KY |
| BRYAN (TENN.) | INDV. LEADERS | UNION (KY.) |
|---|---|---|
| #12 Keaton Dotson – 18 | Points | #12 Austin Cummins – 16 |
| #4 KJ Hawkins – 9 | Rebounds | #22 Richard Brown – 8 |
| #4 KJ Hawkins – 5 | Assists | #12 Austin Cummins – 5 |
| BRYAN (TENN.) | TEAM STATISTICS | UNION (KY.) |
|---|---|---|
| 43.9% (29 – 66) | Field Goals % | 41.3% (26 – 63) |
| 36.4% (8 – 22) | 3 Point Field Goals % | 34.6% (9 – 26) |
| 69.2% (9 – 13) | Free Throws | 71.4% (20 – 28) |
| 41 | Rebounds | 39 |
| 18 | Assists | 17 |
| 15 | Turnovers | 9 |
| 14 | 2nd Chance Pts | 11 |
