Men's basketball extends nation's longest conference win streak

WEST POINT, Ga. - Union didn't find much success from 3-point range against Point on Saturday, but when the ninth-ranked Bulldogs were able to connect from the outside, their success proved instrumental in extending the nation's longest conference win streak.

Terrin Hamilton and Deonte Douglas hit 3s on back-to-back possessions, kick-starting a 17-4 run to close the game as Union finished off Point 71-58 in an Appalachian Athletic Conference men's basketball battle Saturday evening.

The Bulldogs missed their first 12 3-point attempts and failed to connect from deep until the 13:52 mark of the second half. That first make proved to be a big one, though, as a shot by Markelle Turner kick-started a 10-0 run that turned a 46-39 deficit into a 49-46 lead.

The Eagles, who led 34-31 at halftime, answered back to tie the game at 54, but Hamilton and Douglas swung things Union's way for good with their 3-point makes, the last of the night for Union, which shot 3-of-16 from deep.

But it was more than enough for the defense, which held the Eagles to 1-of-11 from the field over the final 8:18.

Markelo Sullivan continues to be a terror on both ends for Union, finishing Saturday with a game-best 21 points and 12 rebounds. Turner added 17 points, Douglas had 11 with six assists and Kameron Jones contributed eight points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.

The win moves Union to 19-1 overall and 17-0 in the AAC. Dating back to February of last year, the Bulldogs have won 26 consecutive conference games, the longest such win streak in the country.

The game also proved to be very similar to the team's first meeting of the year in Barbourville, when the Bulldogs fell behind 32-25 at the half, only to rally for a 73-66 win.

Inching ever closer to another AAC title, the Bulldogs look to stay unbeaten in league play Wednesday when they host Milligan at 7:30 p.m.