DAYTON, Tenn. — An early run proved to be the difference as No. 17 Union College played catch-up most of the evening as host Bryan College (Tenn.) scored the 76-66 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) victory.

The loss drops Union to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Bryan improves to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the AAC.

TURNING POINT

Ronnie Carson scored seven of the Bulldogs’ first 11 points in giving the visitors an 11-10 lead with 14:18 left in the half. However, Bryan embarked on a 12-0 run in seizing a 22-11 advantage at the 10:42 mark. Union cut the margin to six before the half, but Bryan took a 38-31 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs pulled even twice midway through the second half with the final time coming after Richard Brown’s bucket made it 49-all with 8:51 to play. Yet, Bryan answered with a 14-1 run to open up a 63-50 cushion with 3:37 remaining. Union got the deficit within six twice down the stretch, but Bryan closed out the game accounting for six of the final eight points for the 76-66 decision.

SCORING LEADERS

Three Bulldogs scored in double figures with Carson’s 22 points leading the way. The senior guard hit 8-of-13 shots and went 5-for-6 at the foul line in netting the game-high. Jakobe Wharton added 14 points, and Brown chipped in 10.

BULLDOG NOTES

Neither team did well at the charity stripe. Union made 8-of-16 free throws (50 percent), while Bryan connected on 51.9 percent (14-of-27) of its free throws.

Carson leads the Bulldogs in scoring on the season with 20.0 points per game.

Bryan has won two of the last three meetings with Union. Both of the wins came in Dayton.

NEXT FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union hosts its home opener on Saturday, taking on Allen University (S.C.) in AAC play. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.