Total team effort sparks WBB comeback win over Columbia

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - For much of the season, the Union women's basketball team has struggled to respond when facing second-half adversity.

On Saturday against Columbia, the Bulldogs finally found their counterpunch.

LeAsia Linton scored six of her 14 points in the fourth-quarter, and kick-started a 13-2 run to help Union snap an eight-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 63-59 Appalachian Athletic Conference win at Robsion Arena.

The third quarter has been rough for the Bulldogs all season, and Saturday was no exception. Things looked great at halftime, as a 15-point, four 3-pointer effort from Gracie Jervis in the first half lifted Union to a 39-30 lead at the break.

But the lead quickly evaporated, as the Koalas forced seven turnovers and held a 20-8 scoring advantage in the third quarter, giving them a 50-47 edge entering the final 10 minutes.

Columbia appeared to seize the momentum further on a De'Asia Feaster 3-pointer less than a minute into the final period, but Linton answered with a layup just nine seconds later, and the Bulldogs quickly found their rhythm on both ends of the floor. Madison Cox hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to trim the deficit to one, then Haley Brock scored to help Union regain the lead 54-53.

The Koalas briefly took the lead back before another Linton layup with 6:28 to go put Union ahead for good, as the defense took over from there, holding Columbia to 3-of-13 shooting with four turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Linton was also active on the glass during the rally, recording five of her six rebounds in the fourth quarter. And while Jervis didn't score in the second half, she stayed active as a distributor, with four of her game-high six assists coming in the final period.

Brock and McKenzi Himes also scored in double-figures with 10 points and tied Linton for the team lead with six rebounds, as Union improved to 3-13 overall and 3-9 in the AAC. The win was also the Bulldogs' first at Robsion Arena this season, as they fell in their first four home contests.

They'll look to keep the positive vibes going on Wednesday, when they host Johnson (4-10, 2-9) at 5:30 p.m. Behind a school-record eight 3-pointers from Madison Cox, the Bulldogs beat the Royals 78-74 in the team's first matchup on Nov. 8.