Welcoming a ranked opponent to Flowers, the UNA women’s basketball team hung around, but fell short.

The Lions (5-20) squandered away a 55-54 lead late in the third quarter, allowing No. 11 Union (24-2) to take an 80-66 victory and extend its win streak to 13 games. The Bulldogs finished nearly 50 percent from the field, most of which came in the third quarter.

“We just lost a little bit in that second half,” said UNA coach Missy Tiber. “We just weren’t as disruptive in the second half as we were in the first.”

UNA led 33-28 at the half, hitting 5 of 14 shots behind the arc. The Lions finished 11-29 on three pointers, but could not make many shots within 10 feet.

“We hit several three’s, but didn’t do anything on the interior,” Tiber said. “We didn’t do anything to try to get them into foul trouble. If we had made our layups and free throws, we might be up double-digits at halftime.”

Freshman Katelyn Nunley led the Lions with 18 points, most of which uncharacteristically came on long-range shots. Sophomores Jaclyn Heath and Keke Gunter added 14, while senior Janae Lyde dropped 11 points.

The Lions have two games left to play, one of which is against Christian Brothers Feb. 20 in Flowers Hall.

“I think we’re a much different team from when we played over (at Christian Brothers) the first time,” Tiber said. “We didn’t play well. I’ve already watched some of that film. I know who we were then and I know who we are now. I like who we are now.”

After the final home game, the Lions end the season on the road against rival Alabama-Huntsville Feb. 27.