No. 4 Seed Union Cruises Past No. 5 Seed Columbia in AAC Quarterfinals

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The fourth-seeded Union Commonwealth University men's basketball team (14-15) defeated the fifth-seeded Columbia Koalas (13-16), 83-57, in the quarterfinal round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday morning at MeadowView Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort.

Dallas Rufus led the Bulldogs with 19 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field. Devin Dunn and Jamarion Gaines each added 12 points off the bench, while Drew Rhodes chipped in 11 points to give Union four players in double figures.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half – Union 37, Columbia 27
Union built an early 11-6 advantage in the opening six minutes before Columbia answered with a 7-2 run to tie the game at 13-13. A Gaines jumper sparked a 13-2 Bulldogs run, pushing the lead to 26-15 with 5:13 remaining in the half. The teams traded baskets down the stretch as Union carried a 37-27 lead into the break.

Second Half – Union 83, Columbia 57
Columbia opened the second half on a 20-10 run where they took a 45-44 lead and later tied the contest at 47-47 with 14:13 remaining. After exchanging baskets and holding a 53-52 edge, Union used a 3-pointer from Jabari Covington with 11:21 to play to ignite a decisive 21-2 run. The surge extended the Bulldogs' lead to 74-54 with 4:14 remaining. Union limited Columbia to just three points over the final four minutes to secure the 83-57 victory.

UP NEXT
Union will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between first-seeded Pikeville and ninth-seeded Bryan in the semifinals on Friday at 2 p.m. at MeadowView Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort.