USF hands men's basketball team first loss

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Fresh off one of the most stunning wins imaginable a day prior, Union's men's basketball team couldn't find the same momentum in a Sunday follow-up.

The 19th-ranked Bulldogs fell behind by as much as 24 in the first half and a last-ditch comeback effort was too little, too late, as St. Francis (Ind.) knocked Union from the ranks of the unbeaten by the score 83-72 on the final day of competition at The Show Invitational.

Sunday marked the third straight game where Union looked flat in the first half. And while they were able to rally from seven-point halftime deficits in each of their last two games, the Bulldogs dug too deep a hole Sunday, as the Cougars took control with a 25-5 run in the first half.

Union made it a bit more competitive in the second half, but couldn't get within single digits until a DJ Mercer jump shot with just 2:41 to play.

Terrin Hamilton continued his great start to the season with a 23-point effort, while Mercer added 15 points off the bench. Already the Appalachian Athletic Conference's top rebounder, Anton Mozga went beyond his already gaudy average with 14 boards Sunday.

Now 8-1, Union returns to AAC play on Wednesday when Bryan (Tenn.) comes to Robsion Arena for 7:30 p.m. game on Wednesday.