BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union College owned a half-time lead Saturday over UVa-Wise, however the visiting Cavs fought back behind a 58-point second half to capture a 95-86 decision in an Appalachian Athletic Conference contest.

Union lost the lead for good with 8:24 to go in the contest. Adam Hood knocked down three of his game-high 32 points which made the score 65-64. The Bulldogs eventually trailed by as many as 11. In the final four minutes of action, Union could not come any closer than seven points.

The final half started with the Cavs posting a 12-7 run in the opening five minutes to swing momentum in their favor. Union fought back to retake a short-lived lead, 56-55, with 11:13 showing on the clock. The lead changed hands three more times before UVa-Wise gained control.

The 58 second-half points are the most allowed by Union in any half this season.

The Bulldogs' AAC record went to 6-4 and their overall record evened up at 10-10. The defeat snapped a five-game winning streak over UVa-Wise inside Robsion Arena.

UVa-Wise moved to 2-8 in conference play and 4-15 overall. It was the Cavs' first win in a road conference game since Feb. 2, an eight-game streak.

Union emerged with a 42-37 half-time lead in a wild period. Union tied the game thanks to an Anthony Coote (Georgetown, Ky.) free throw with 3:16 on the clock. The Bulldogs reeled off seven-straight points over an 80-second span to take the largest lead of the half. The scoring started with a Michael Hester (Independence, Ky.) basket. Beau Brown (Athens, Tenn.) provided the last three points of the spurt.

The offense needed time to warm up to start the game. Three minutes into the contest, the score was tied at four apiece.

UVa-Wise enjoyed a five-point lead on three different occasions with the last coming at the half-way point in the half.

The Cavs capitalized on 15 Union turnovers which led to 19 points. On the flip side, Union forced 10 turnovers which only converted into eight points.

Hester led the Union offense with 15 points in his 10th double-digit scoring effort of the season. The sophomore dished out five assists. James Johnson (Lexington, Ky.) and Tino Washington (Lexington, Ky.) contributed 13 points each. Washington's 13 points are a season best. Brown and Brett Miller (Carrolton, Ky.) finished with a dozen points apiece and Kearney Demus (Lexington, Ky.) poured in 10.

Miller collected six rebounds with a career-high four blocks. He also blocked a career-high four shots as part of Union's 10 in the contest. The Bulldogs' previous game high in blocks was five in two contests. Bill Davis (Harrodsburg, Ky.) also grabbed six rebounds.

Along with Hood's 32 points, Travis Willis added 21 points. Kevin Perry posted a double-double with 14 points with 12 rebounds. Brian Sexton scored 12 points and recorded five blocks on the other end of the floor.

UVa-Wise went 31-for-60 (51.7 percent) from the field while the Bulldogs were 27-for-56 (48.2 percent). Union watched as UVa-Wise made eight 3-pointers. The Bulldogs owned the advantage at the free-throw line. Union went 27-for-36 (75.0 percent) and UVa-Wise was 25-for-38 (65.8 percent). The 74 combined free-throw attempts were helped by a total of 56 fouls called in the contest. Union was whistled for 30 fouls and the other 26 were on the Cavs. The 27 made free throws tie Union's season high.

The season-series ended in a split thanks to Saturday's results. Union won on the Cavs' home floor, 71-55, on Nov. 19.

Union will host Bryan (Tenn.) College in a conference contest Wednesday. The game is scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs captured a 55-53 road win in the first meeting on Nov. 22.

Bulldog Notes

• When an opponent scores more than 80 points this season, Union is 0-8.
• Union committed a season-high 30 fouls.
• The setback was only the second in a Saturday contest this season in seven games.
• In regular-season AAC games against UVa-Wise, Union owns a 7-7 record.