HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The UAH women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 65-63 loss to Union on a buzzer-beater Sunday afternoon in the Gulf South Conference Championship game at SportsMED Arena in Spragins Hall.
After trailing by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, the Chargers rallied to take the lead at halftime and battled with the Bulldogs throughout the second half before Union's Aryn Roberts knocked down the game-winning shot as time expired.
UAH struggled early offensively, shooting 3-of-12 from the field in the opening quarter while Union caught fire, connecting on 11-of-13 shots to take a 26-12 lead into the second period.
The Chargers responded with a strong second quarter, fueled by a defensive turnaround. Union went cold, shooting just 2-of-13 and scoring only five points in the frame, while UAH scored 21 points to surge ahead and take a 33-31 lead into halftime.
The second half proved to be tightly contested. Union outscored UAH 16-14 in the third quarter, leaving the teams tied at 47 entering the final period.
The fourth quarter featured multiple lead changes as both teams traded momentum down the stretch. With 1:11 remaining, Lili Wilken converted a layup to give the Chargers a 63-60 advantage.
Union responded with a three-pointer to tie the game at 63-63 before UAH regained possession with 57 seconds remaining, but the Chargers were unable to convert on the offensive end.
The Bulldogs took over with 4.7 seconds left, and Roberts drove toward the lane and released a jumper near the free-throw line. The shot bounced on the rim as the buzzer sounded before falling through to secure the championship for Union.
Wilken led all scorers with 25 points, while also recording seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Ivey Maddox played a key role in the Chargers' second-half push, finishing with 13 points and knocking down three three-pointers.
UAH now awaits the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Selection Show later Sunday evening to learn its postseason fate, including whether the Chargers will host the South Regional or travel for the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
