All of Combs' 100 coaching victories have been at the helm of the Bulldog program. He is in his seventh year and owns a 100-106 record during that time. Combs is the third coach in program history with at least 100 wins while at Union. He joins Pete Moore and Brian Evans with at least 100 wins leading the Bulldog program. Moore won 253 games while at Union in his 20 seasons (1962-1971 & 1972-1983). Evans also coached seven seasons with a 116 victories record from 1994-2001.
With the win, Union improved to 3-5 on the year. The Bulldogs start AAC play at 1-0 for the first time since the 2005-2006 season and it was the first win in a road contest this season. UVa-Wise went to 0-6 and 0-1 in the conference.
The Bulldogs led by as many as seven points in the opening half, but the UVa-Wise made the halftime a 32-32 tie.
Union would build a double-digit lead late in the second half. The largest lead of the game was also the final score as Beau Brown (Athens, Tenn.) scored the final two points of his game-high 20.
Brown finished the game 4-for-9 from behind the 3-point line and 8-for-15 from the field. He also led Union with seven rebounds. It was the first time this season the junior has led the team in the rebounding category.
Brett Miller (Carrolton, Ky.) chipped in 12 points for his third double-digit scoring effort of the season.
James Johnson (Lexington, Ky.) and Michael Hester (Independence, Ky.) added 11 and nine points, respectively. Hester also led the team once again with five assists. He tied his season high.
The Bulldogs shot 47.4 percent (27-for-57) from the field while UVa-Wise posted a 29.8 field-goal percentage (17-for-57).
The Cavs won the rebound battle 42-38. Included in UVa-Wise's 42 rebounds were 17 offensive rebounds.
The Union defense forced 18 turnovers in the contest.
UVa-Wise had a quartet of players with nine points a piece. Kevin Perry added 10 rebounds with his nine-point performance.
Union goes to Bryan (Tenn.) College for another AAC contest Saturday. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
Bulldog Notes
- The game was the first of the season for Union where the halftime score was tied.
- Union snapped a five-game road losing streak dating back to last season.
- When outscoring their opponent in the second half, the Bulldogs are 2-1 this season.
- The 71 points are the most in a Union win this season.
- Brown posted his second 20-plus points game of the season.
