JACKSON, Tenn. – Union, ranked No. 6 nationally in one poll and 12^th in another, poured in 17 three-pointers and had five players score in double figures on the way to a 102-81 Gulf South Conference women's basketball win over West Alabama Wednesday at Fred Delay Gymnasium.
 
West Alabama (13-12, 10-8) came into the game needing a win to clinch a spot in the GSC Tournament. The Tigers now need to get that victory on Senior Day Saturday when West Georgia visits Pruitt Hall Gym. Tipoff is 2 p.m.
 
Union (24-2, 17-1) has already clinched a host spot in the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament but is clinging to a one-game lead over North Alabama for the top seed.
 
"I can't tell you how disappointed I am," UWA head coach Rusty Cram said. "We couldn't guard our shadow. This was the worst defensive performance I have been a part of in 37 years of coaching."
 
Union jumped out to a 28-13 lead after the first quarter after not turning the ball over in the first 10 minutes. Conversely, the Bulldogs scored 11 points off seven West Alabama turnovers in the period.
 
"They kicked our butt in the first quarter," Cram said. "Tazsa (Garrett-Hammett) has been having trouble over the last three or four games due to getting into early foul trouble. She's a freshman and has to continue to learn."
 
The Bulldogs made 9-of-19 from behind the three-point arc in the first half to take a 53-36 lead into the intermission. Union had three players score in double figures in the first half alone.
 
West Alabama only turned the ball over five times in the second half, but Union did not stop draining three-pointers, going 8-of-15 from behind the arc.
 
"When you give up 17 three-pointers you didn't come to play," Cram said. "When you shoot 50 percent from the three-point line that means you are uncontested. Those threes were falling because we didn't guard them."
 
Both teams shot well from the floor, with Union making 33-of-69 (47 percent) and UWA 30-of-65 (46 percent). The Bulldogs hit 50 percent (17-of-34) from behind the three-point arc. With UWA battling injury and illness, Union's bench outscored the Tigers 51-5.
 
Bria Gaines and Emily Beard led Union with 24 points apiece. Gaines collected 12 rebounds for her double-double. Chelsey Shumpert chipped in 22 and Sara Lytle 15. Jada Perkins failed to score but dished out 10 assists.
 
Chloe Culpepper battled illness to notch her third double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. J'Nyiah Daniels contributed 20 points, followed by Elaine Field with 16 and Tazsa Garrett-Hammett with 12.
 
"Chloe Culpepper was sick all day but still came out and gave us a double-double. That's wanting to play," Cram said. "Elaine Field played her butt off from start to finish, so there are a couple of our players really hurting about this.
 
"We have get on bus, get home, get over this and get ready for Saturday," Cram said. "Saturday is now the biggest game of the year."