The Union University Bulldogs, ranked No. 12 in the latest NAIA polls, defeated No. 17 McKendree College (Ill.) 75-62 at Union's Fred DeLay Gymnasium on Thursday night. Union improved to 12-2 on the season while McKendree falls to 10-5 overall. This was the second meeting of the year between these two schools with McKendree winning the first meeting by 13 points at McKendree.
Union jumped out to a lead early in the first half and didn't trail for the remainder of the game. Union led 38-28 at the half, then expanded that lead by three in the second half to return the favor to McKendree with a 13-point win. Union shot 50% from the field including 44% (6-20) from behind the arc. Union's Chima Abakwue and Ben Frederick each scored 17 points to lead Union. Will Harris added 16 points for the Bulldogs. Abakwue, Union's career three point leader, made 4-of-9 in the game and passed the 1,500 point mark for his career. For McKendree, Shawn Byrne tallied a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bearcats.
