BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – In an overtime thriller, the Union College Bulldogs pulled out an 82-79 Appalachian Athletic Conference victory Saturday night over the visitors from Bryan (Tenn.) College.

Union improved to 3-5 in the conference and 13-7 overall. The 13-win mark surpasses last year’s 12-win total. The Lions of Bryan fell 8-11 overall and 2-6 in conference play.

The overtime period was controlled by the Bulldogs. Michael Hester (Independence, Ky.) started things with a lay up after Chris Stunson (Richmond, Ky.) stole the ball. It was two of Union’s 31 points off Bryan’s 22 turnovers in the contest. The Bulldogs eventually built a six-point advantage on three different occasions in the five-minute period. The game was not as easily decided because Bryan trailed by three points with under 20 seconds left and the Lions attempted two game-tying shots. Both shots did not fall and Union held on for the win.

Union needed to fight back in the second half to force overtime. The Bulldogs faced a 37-27 deficit after the first half. It took Union ten minutes to take a 46-45 lead after Stunson knocked down three of his team-high 16 points.

Bryan answered with a three pointer from Derek Batt twenty seconds later. Stunson drained two more points in response. The lead was traded two more times in the next three minutes when Union led 54-52. After Charlie Lytle tied the game again, Bill Davis (Harrodsburg, Ky.) gave Union the lead until Lytle forced overtime with a 3-pointer with three seconds left which tied the game at 64 at the end of regulation.

The only lead for Union in the first half came on the first basket of the game from James Johnson (Lexington, Ky.) Bryan went on to eventually lead 23-7 only 12 minutes into the contest. Union battled back over a five-minute span to make the score 25-20, however the Bulldogs still trailed.

A total of five Bulldogs scored in double digits. Aaron Dunaway (Lexington, Ky.) scored 15 points while Hester and Johnson added 12 and 10 points, respectively. Stunson’s 16 points and the 11 points from Kevin Jones (Radcliff, Ky.) came off the Bulldogs’ bench. Union’s bench totaled 37 points in comparison, Bryan only tallied 23 bench points.

Bryan was led by Lytle and his 19 points. Mark Lytle chipped in 16 points as well.

Next for the Bulldogs is another home AAC tilt Tuesday evening when UVa-Wise visits for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

Bulldog Notes

• Union is a perfect 2-0 in overtime games this season.
• When scoring at least 80 points, the Bulldogs are 4-0.
• Stunson's 16-point game is his 10th game in double digits this season.
• The Bulldogs won their first game when the opponent grabs more defensive rebounds. Bryan owned a 35-24 advantage.
• Hester dished out five assists, a season high.
• Kirk accounted for five steals, a career high.