CLEVELAND, Tenn.- Union's sixth-ranked women's basketball team rallied from five points down with only 1:29 remaining in regulation play to claim a thrilling 98-95 overtime victory over Lee University before a huge crowd inside Walker Arena on Saturday afternoon. 

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 17-1 overall and 11-1 in conference play. The Lady Flames dropped to 10-6, 8-4. Lee will regroup and get ready for a tough road trip next Thursday and Saturday when they face West Florida and Valdosta State. 

The closely-called contest saw a total of 73 fouls, 41 against Lee and 32 against the Lady Bulldogs. Union had the advantage in the charity department making a team record-setting 44-of-57 (77%). On the other hand, Lee was awarded 29 and capitalized on 18 (62%).  

The high-scoring game was tied at 23 at the end of the first quarter. Lee led 38-36 at the halftime break. The pace picked up again in the third period and the Lady Bulldogs moved on top 62-61. 

The excitement built to an all-time high in the final hectic minutes of the fourth frame. Lee leader Mallory Hampton fouled out with 1:53 remaining, but Haylee Johnson drove for a layup to put the Lady Flames up 81-75 with 1:29 left. 

Union cut the lead to 81-79 on a driving layup by Shanique Lucas (0:27). With the clock counting down, Johnson was fouled and went to the line for two free throws with only 0:07 left. She missed the first attempt but made the second to put Lee up 82-79.  

The Lady Bulldogs quickly called a timeout and moved the basketball to their end of the floor. With the clock winding down to a final second, Olivia Lee broke the hearts of the Lady Flames by nailing a 3-point shot, tying the game at 82 and sending it into overtime.  

In the OT it was all Union as the visitors quickly moved ahead and outscored Lee 16-13 in posting the victory. The Lady Bulldogs made only 23 field goals out of 59 attempts (39%). On the other hand, Lee made 11 more field goals 34-of-70 (47%). Union attempted 28 triples and made eight (29%). Lee fired up 30 and made nine (30%). The Lady Flames outrebounded the visitors 41-32. However, the Lady Bulldogs took better care of the basketball with only 12 turnovers and forced Lee into 18.  

The Lady Flames had five players in double-digit scoring. Johnson had her best performance of the season with a double-double, 19 points and a career high 11 assists. She also pulled down six rebounds. Hampton had 15 points and six assists before leaving with five fouls. Haley Cameron turned in a top-notch performance with 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists.  

Kara Williams hit three triples and finished with 12 points. Anna Muhonen also made 6-of-7 field goal attempts for 12 points. In losing, the Lady Flames outscored Union 48-26 in points in the paint. Lee lost five players in the game to five fouls. 

Lucas led the Lady Bulldogs comeback and had 19 points to go along with eight rebounds. Olivia Lee also had 19 points while Macey Lee finished with 16 points and Lauren West came off the bench to sink 7-of-9 free throws and totaled 13 points.    

 Coach Marty Rowe's thoughts: 

"We played at a very high level today and gave ourselves a chance to win against one of the best teams in the country. 

"We have to compete like we did today, each and every game. If we do that we'll continue to see growth. 

"Ultimately I have to do a better job down the stretch, to put us in more spots to finish games like today. 

"It doesn't get any easier, going on the road verses West Florida and Valdosta will be key opportunities for us next week."