JACKSON, Tenn.-The Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs led No. 21 Union for more than 30 minutes Tuesday night, but the host Lady Bulldogs outscored CBU 11-6 over the final five minutes to claim a 60-56 win in the Gulf South Conference opener for both schools.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Lady Bucs (2-2, 0-1 GSC) jumped to an early lead on back-to-back triples by
Rachel Lee (Jackson, Tenn./Jackson Christian School) and
Samantha Reeves (Somerville, Tenn./Fayette Academy), taking a 10-6 edge. After a Union (4-1, 1-0) basket,
Courtney Banks (Memphis, Tenn./White Station HS) and
Madison Luckett (Memphis, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) sank back-to-back threes to give CBU a 16-8 lead with 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
• In the second quarter, Luckett scored five straight to give the Lady Bucs their largest lead of the night at 23-13 with 8:07 remaining in the first half.
• The teams traded runs, and a 12-2 run gave the Lady Bulldogs a 38-37 lead on a Tiffany Rechis three-pointer with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter.
• From there, neither team would lead by more than four points again, with 13 lead changes and three ties over the game's final 13 minutes.
• Union regained the lead for good on back-to-back layups by Bethany Lytle and Jada Perkins, taking a 56-52 lead with 1:13 remaining. A Banks triple drew CBU within 56-55 with 17 seconds remaining, but Union sank four free throws in the final 15 seconds and the Lady Bucs went 1-of-2 at the line as they were unable to finish the comeback.
KEY STATS:
• Reeves scored 22 with eight rebounds and three assists to lead the Lady Bucs.
• Luckett tacked on 12 with nine boards.
• Banks scored nine with five assists.
• Lee dished out six assists, tying her career-high.
• The Lady Bucs shot 42.6 percent (23-of-54) for the game, including 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from three-point range. Union was 41.5 percent (22-of-53) overall and 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from beyond the arc.
• The Lady Bulldogs held a 35-32 edge in rebounds, including a 9-6 margin in offensive boards, and CBU committed 15 turnovers to Union's 11.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Lady Bucs return home Tuesday night at 5 p.m. as they host Harding.