CARROLLTON, Ga. – The final game of the 2021 calendar year did not disappoint, but in the end, the Wolves women's basketball team came up just short against the #20 Union Bulldogs on New Year's Eve at The Coliseum, falling 70-68.
 
It was a back and forth affair in the opening half, with both teams having three leads. Union opened the game leading 6-2, but would then go cold from three-point range for the majority of the half. UWG was able to build as much of an eight-point lead in the half.
 
A big part of UWG's first half success was Valencia Carroll who had a three-pointer and an old-fashioned three-point play to lead UWG with six first half points.
 
Over the final four minutes of the half, Union went on an 8-0 run, including three-pointers on the final two possessions of the period, to send the game to halftime tied, 27-27.
 
Union then caught fire from the perimeter, hitting five three-pointers on their way to 25 third quarter points. The Wolves held their own though and trailed the Bulldogs 52-44 at the start of the fourth.
 
Just when it looked like Union would pull away, the Wolves came roaring back to have a chance to win the game.
 
The Bulldogs led by 11 with seven minutes left in the game, but West Georgia chipped away, eventually cutting it to a one possession game at 68-65 on a layup by Carroll. West Georgia forced two late turnovers, and got it to a two-point game with five second left, but the buzzer beater attempt to tie the game was too strong, and Union came away with a road win.
 
Carroll led the Wolves with 17 points while Zaria Bankston added 14 and Ranajah Verdell scored 12. Verdell also grabbed 10 boards, giving her back-to-back double-doubles.
 
West Georgia will open 2022 on the road at Christian Brothers on Sunday afternoon. The Wolves and Bucs tip off at 3 p.m. EST. Christian Brothers announced today that fans will not be permitted into Canale Arena for Sunday's game.