DAYTON, Tenn. — No. 11 Union College suffered its second Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) loss this week as host Bryan College held on for the 82-77 win on Saturday.

The Bulldogs fall to 16-6 overall and 11-4 in league play, while the Lions improve to 11-11 overall and 8-8 in the AAC.

SLOW OUT OF THE GATE

Union’s offense was not firing on all cylinders to start the game, scoring only five points during the first 5:14 of the game as Bryan jumped out to a 15-5 advantage. The Lions hit five of their first six 3-point attempts in building a 24-12 lead by the 11:03 mark.

The Bulldogs battled back and eventually took at 36-35 lead following a pair of K.J. Duronslet free throws with 37 seconds remaining in the half. Yet, Bryan had the last say and owned a 37-36 halftime edge.

A LITTLE TOO LATE

Austin Cummins banged home a 3-pointer, pulling Union even at 39-all. But, Bryan countered with a 12-2 run in opening up a 51-41 advantage with 15:31 to play. The Lions pushed the margin to 66-51 when the Bulldogs began to rally.

Down 77-67 with 1:38 to play, Derek Morgan accounted for five points in a 7-0 Bulldog surge to cut the deficit to 77-74 with 1:09 on the clock. An E.J. Bush basket made a five-point game; still Derio Little buried a 3-pointer in slicing the margin to 79-77 with 22 seconds to go.

Bryan, though, iced the game by hitting 3-for-4 free throws in the waning moments to secure the 82-77 outcome.

STAT OF THE GAME

Bryan outshot Union in connecting on 28-of-55 shots (50.9 percent) and sank 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) from behind the arc. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs made 36.1 percent (26-of-72) of their shots and went 5-for-25 from long range.

BULLDOG NOTES

Five Bulldogs scored in double figures with Duronslet’s 15 points leading the way. DeMarkus Loman followed with 14, while Morgan came off the bench to knock in 13 on 6-of-8 shooting. Cummins and Jabari Antwine each chipped in 10.

Union manned the glass well, outrebounding Bryan 42-37. Loman and Lance Blakley each grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

This marks the third time this season Union has lost back-to-back games.

The loss snaps an 11-game win streak against the Lions. Bryan last defeated Union 78-73 on Feb. 21, 2013, in the AAC Tournament.

NEXT FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union returns home Tuesday to host Bluefield College in another conference tilt. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.