Union Women’s Basketball Drops Johnson

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Union Commonwealth University's women's basketball team (3-10, 2-5 AAC) fell to Johnson (5-7, 4-3 AAC) on Saturday afternoon at Douglas E. Karnes Arena, 81-61. 

How It Happened

Sophomore guard Ella Coffey led the Bulldogs with 18 points, eight rebounds and a perfect performance from the free-throw line.

Freshman forward Aymanni Wynn led Union on the boards with nine rebounds and added eight points, three assists, two steals and a block.

Senior guard Isis Rodgers and junior guard Rachel Smith scored nine points a piece, while Smith and freshman guard Aniyah Carter tied for the team lead with four assists each. Freshman forward Kylie Noe added seven points.

First Quarter: Union Commonwealth 15, Johnson 15

Union opened with early energy as Rodgers scored the Bulldogs' first four points. Johnson quickly responded with a run to take an 11–4 lead midway through the quarter. Union found its rhythm late with back-to-back threes from Wynn and Smith. Carter's two free throws at the buzzer sent the game into the second quarter tied at 15–15.

Second Quarter: Union Commonwealth 21, Johnson 33

The second quarter opened with a defensive battle, as both teams went scoreless for nearly two minutes before Carter broke the tie with a layup. The teams traded short runs through the middle of the period, but Johnson's scoring pulled them ahead. Johnson closed the half with momentum, knocking down three late three-pointers to stretch the margin to a 33–21 lead into halftime.

Third Quarter: Union Commonwealth 37, Johnson 65

Union came out aggressive in the third, with Noe generating key turnovers. The Bulldogs stayed competitive with scoring from Coffey and Wynn, but Johnson responded with a string of threes and fast-break points, steadily extending their lead. Union remained active on both ends, but Johnson controlled the quarter, taking a 65–37 advantage into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: Union Commonwealth 61, Johnson 81

Union opened the fourth quarter strong, quickly answering an early Johnson three with Coffey scoring inside and Rodgers knocking down a shot from beyond the arc. Coffey continued to dominate the paint, finishing four consecutive layups, as Johnson responded with timely shots. Late points from freshman guard Akeeviah Betts and junior guard Natalie Johnson helped Union take the fourth, but Johnson's early lead proved too large, and the Bulldogs fell 61–81.

Up Next

The Bulldogs will take on University of the Cumberlands on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at the O. Waynes Rollins Center. Tip off is set for 5:00pm.