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Union women’s basketball season ends in NCAA Division II national semifinals

Union University's Emily Jones drives Wednesday in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II national tournament in Pittsburgh. Submitted photo.


PITTSBURGH, Pa. (BP) — The Union University women’s basketball team fell to Cal State Dominguez Hills 68-50 Wednesday evening in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II national tournament at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

The Lady Bulldogs, seeded seventh in the Elite Eight, finish the season at 33-4 after making their second Final Four appearance since moving to NCAA Division II in 2014.

“Sports gives us the opportunity to build quality relationships in a short amount of time,” Union Head Coach Mark Campbell said. “This team has grown more than any team I have ever coached over the last seven months. We knew they had good hearts and good character, but this group has exceeded all expectations.

“It has been a privilege to coach this group,” he continued. “It is one of the more memorable years I have been blessed with.”

Campbell earned his 775th career win in the national quarterfinal victory over Bentley University March 24. In his 26 seasons as head coach at Union, Campbell has advanced to the national semifinals in 13 seasons in NCAA Division II and NAIA competition.

This season, Union won its 10th Gulf South Conference regular season title, seventh GSC tournament title and second NCAA Division II South Region title.  The Lady Bulldogs had won 19 straight games before Wednesday’s loss.

    About the Author

  • Steven Aldridge
  • Tim Ellsworth

    Tim Ellsworth is associate vice president for university communications at Union University in Jackson, Tenn. BP reports on missions, ministry and witness advanced through the Cooperative Program and on news related to Southern Baptists’ concerns nationally and globally.

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