KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The entire starting five scored in double figures as No. 12 Union College began its annual march in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament, defeating eighth-seed Allen University 94-83 Wednesday in the quarterfinal round.

The top-seeded Bulldogs improve to 24-6 overall, while the Yellow Jackets end the season 15-17.

The 2019 AAC Tournament is being held at the MeadowView Marriott Convention Center in Kingsport, Tennessee.

TURNING POINT

Union never trailed and the game was tied only once at 2-all. The Bulldogs opened the game on a 12-3 run and were never truly threatened. Allen cut the margin to five twice during the first half but was never able to get down to a one-possession game.

Up 47-38 at the half, Union quickly pushed the margin to double-digits and never allowed the cushion to dip below 10 the rest of the way. The Bulldogs led by as much as 15 points three times with the final time coming after a Jakobe Wharton 3-pointer made 79-64 at the 6:33 mark. From there, Union coasted to the 94-83 victory.

BULLDOG OF THE GAME

Senior K.J. Duronslet notched his 12th double-double of the season with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He hit 12-of-14 at the free-throw line and added four steals, two assists and two blocks to his stat line.

STAT OF THE GAME

The entire starting five for the Bulldogs scored in double figures, accounting for 85 of the teams’ 94 points. After Duronslet, Wharton led the way with 19 points, while DeMarkus Loman (18 points), Lance Blakley (13 points), and Jabari Antwine (11 points) joined the points parade.

BULLDOG NOTES

Wharton’s 19 points are the second-most in his career. He hit his career-high on Jan. 29 with 25 against Bluefield College.

Union went 39-of-51 (76.5 percent) at the foul line, marking season-highs for free throws attempted and made.

The Bulldogs have won their last 16 conference tournament games.

Blakley led the team with five assists.

NEXT FOR THE BULLDOGS.

Union played No. 4 seed Bryan College on Friday at 6 p.m. in the semifinal round. Bryan advanced to the semis by defeating fifth-seeded Reinhardt University 89-75 on Thursday.