BLUEFIELD, Va. – A 24-point halftime deficit was too much for the Union College Bulldogs to overcome at No. 18 Bluefield (Va.) College Tuesday night. Union's six game winning streak came to an end as Bluefield went on for a 104-78 Appalachian Athletic Conference decision over the Bulldogs.

The first half proved to be the key. Union was outscored 56-32 in the first 20 minutes. The 56 points from Bluefield was the most given up by the Bulldogs in any half this season. Union kept pace with Bluefield in the second half as the Rams posted 48 points and the Bulldogs scored 46.

With the results, Union moved to 11-6 overall and 1-4 in conference play. Bluefield went to 12-4 and 4-1 in the AAC.

Chris Stunson (Richmond, Ky.) led the Bulldogs with 17 points. This marked the fourth time this season Stunson has led Union in scoring this season. Freshman Michael Hester (Independence, Ky.) scored 12 points in his first career start. He also tied his career high with five rebounds. Aaron Dunaway (Lexington, Ky.), the AAC Player of the Week from last week, accounted for 12 points with three assists and six rebounds. Kevin Jones (Radcliff, Ky.) added a season-best 12 points off the Bulldogs’ bench.

Bluefield was paced by James Chapman and his 23 points. Omar Reed and James Childress III added 18 and 12 points, respectively.

Union shot 46.3 percent in the game (31-of-67), however the Bulldogs did not make a three-point basket (0-of-8). In contrast, Bluefield made 49.3 percent (36-of-73) and the Rams also converted on 45.7 percent (16-of-35) of their three-point attempts.

The Bulldogs grabbed 43 rebounds in the contest, more than Bluefield’s 34 rebounds.

Next for the Bulldogs is their first home game of the calendar year Saturday afternoon. Union will host Virginia Intermont College for an AAC contest at 6 p.m.

Bulldog Notes

• The 104 points is the most given up by Union this season. Montreat (N.C.) College scored 88 against Union.
• The 26-point loss was the largest margin of defeat this season, more than the 22-point loss at Pikeville.
• Dunaway has scored in double-digits in 12 games this season and 33 in his career.
• This is the first loss of the season when the opponent takes more shots than Union (4-1)
• Jones attempted ten free throws, the most of any Bulldog this season. He converted on six of them.
• Union is 3-2 on Tuesdays this season.