SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – A trio of Bulldogs scored in double figures as the Union College Bulldogs defeated Concordia (Mich.) University 65-59 in the opening round of the Holiday Inn Tournament played at Notre Dame College Friday in South Euclid, Ohio.

Union (6-5 overall, 1-3 AAC) was led by Michael Hester (Independence, Ky.) and his 12 points off the bench. Hester was perfect from the field, 5-of-5 with a pair of 3-point baskets as well.

Chris Stunson (Richmond, Ky.) and Kevin Jones (Radcliff, Ky.) added 11 points each for the Bulldogs’ cause. The 11 points from Jones is a season high and his first double-digit scoring effort of the year.

Josh Hurd (Independence, Ky.) only scored nine points, but he recorded three blocks with four rebounds. James Johnson (Lexington, Ky.) grabbed a team-best six rebounds.

Anthony Bates scored a game-high 22 points for Concordia (4-7 overall).

The Bulldogs held a 33-23 advantage over Concordia after the opening 20 minutes.

Union was 22-of-54 from the field compared to Concordia’s 21-of-52 shooting night. The Bulldogs also owned the boards with a 38-32 advantage.

Next for the Bulldogs is a 3 p.m. contest Saturday against St. Vincent (Pa.) College in the championship game of the Holiday Inn Tournament. Notre Dame and Concordia will start the day with a 1 p.m. game. St. Vincent defeated host Notre Dame, 73-63 in the earlier game Friday.

Bulldog Notes

• The 59 points from Concordia is the fewest allowed by the Bulldogs this season.
• Also, the 23 first-half points from Concordia is the fewest allowed by Union in a half.
• Union is 2-0 on neutral courts and both games were on Fridays.
• The ten-point halftime lead is the largest by the Bulldogs this season.
• This is the first game Union has won where the opponent committed more fouls than the Bulldogs.