CARROLLTON, Ga. – The University of West Georgia Men's Basketball team moved to 7-0 on the season after a 78-66 win over the Union Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.

UWG (7-0, 3-0 GSC) clamped down on the defensive side of the ball once again tonight as the Wolves held Union (3-4, 0-3 GSC) to 37.5% from the field and 26.1% from three in route to their seventh consecutive double-digit win to begin the season.

"I thought we played really well defensively in the second half, holding them to 33% from the floor and 23% from three," said head coach Dave Moore. "Jordan Pyke really had a great game. His 29 points really carried them and kept this close to the point where we couldn't shake them and separate like we've been able to do with some of these other teams."

The first half was competitive to start as the two teams were knotted at 11, five minutes in. Two free throws from Zawdie Jackson and a layup from Tamaury Releford put the Wolves out in front by four until Union's Justin Debuck buried a three to spark an 8-0 run to take a 19-15 lead with 12:08 minutes left in the half. The Bulldog's Jordan Pyke had a masterful first half, carrying Union with a game-high 14 points in the period, but Jackson countered Pyke's first-half performance with a clinical half of his own, pouring in 12 points on 75% shooting. After a competitive 17 minutes, UWG created some breathing room by using an 8-0 run to take a 42-34 lead into the break.

West Georgia shot 45.5% from the field in the first half, while holding Union to 41.2% from the field and 30% from three.

UWG has pulled away from teams all season in the second half and tonight was no different. Amari Davis and Camron Donatlan got the Wolves going by scoring the first 15 points in the half for UWG, resulting in a 55-43 lead. Throughout the next couple of possessions, Jackson and Pyke traded baskets before Union cut West Georgia's lead down to seven with 11:19 left to play. The Bulldogs just wouldn't go away and made it a five-point game with a little over six minutes to play after a jumper from Ahmad Johnson. On the very next possession, a three from Jackson flipped the momentum back in favor of UWG as the three sparked a 9-2 run, virtually putting the game away as the Wolves went on to win, 78-66.
 
Jackson led the way with a team-high 25 points, six assists, and five rebounds while Donatlan registered his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Amari Davis also recorded a career-high 13 points and seven rebounds while Kolten Griffin stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
 
"I thought the guys played hard," coach Moore continued. "We rebounded well in the second half and did enough to get it done and at the end of the day, that's all that matters."
 
West Georgia will be back in action on Thursday at 7:30 PM when they host, rival, Valdosta State.