BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union College entertained the home crowd behind an 83-75 win over No. 5 University of Rio Grande (Ohio) Saturday. The win was the first for Union over a Top-10 team since the 2000-01 season.

Union's last win over a Top-10 team was a 66-63 come from behind victory over then No. 7 Georgetown (Ky.) College on Jan. 13, 2001. Saturday's win was the first over a NAIA Division II Top-10 team under the direction of head coach Kelly Combs.

The win evened Union's record at 7-7 while Rio Grande, a member of the American Mideast Conference, moved to 12-4. The Bulldogs and Rio Grande have played once for the last three seasons with Union owning a 2-1 advantage over the stretch.

After owning a 36-34 half-time lead, Union extended the lead to eight points. Thanks to a Beau Brown (Athens, Tenn.) 3-pointer, Union led 51-43. He finished with a game-high 18 points.

Rio Grande regained the lead after Wendell Bates, Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer of his own with 6:34 left in the game. Bill Davis (Harrodsburg, Ky.) put Union back in front, 70-69, with a basket.

The lead changed hands two more times in the next two minutes. Michael Hester (Independence, Ky.) put the Bulldogs in front for good, 72-71, with a basket with 1:48 left on the clock. Union scored the next five points to own control of the game. Hester contributed 13 points with three assists and three steals.

The Bulldogs trailed for the first 16 minutes of the game. Davis tied the score and gave Union the lead with a pair of free throws. His two free throws made the score 29-28.

Union went on to lead 35-30 with two minutes to go in the half. It was the largest lead the Bulldogs enjoyed in the opening half.

Tino Washington (Lexington, Ky.) recorded a game-high four steals for Union's cause. Brett Miller (Carrolton, Ky.) blocked two shots with nine rebounds.

Johnson scored 13 points for his ninth double-digit scoring effort of the season.

Brandon Ivery led Rio Grande with 17 points. The duo of P.J. Rase and Aaron Drakeford contributed 13 points apiece.

Rio Grande reeled off the first six points of the contest. The visitors eventually built a seven point advantage on two occasions in the opening half.

Union only made 25 shots while Rio Grande made 27. The Bulldogs owned the advantage at the free-throw line. Union went 27-for-37 (73.0 percent) and Rio Grande was 15-for-21 (71.4 percent). Also, Union made six 3-pointers. It was the fourth game of the season with six 3-point baskets.

The rebounding advantage was also owned by Union, 42-40. Of the Bulldogs' 42 rebounds, 19 were on the offensive glass which led to 12 second-chance points.

The Bulldogs travel to the University of Louisiana Monroe for an exhibition game Saturday. The contest is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at the NCAA Division I foe.

Bulldog Notes

• In the last five seasons, Union has a 6-2 record against teams from the state of Ohio.
• The Bulldogs used their seventh different starting lineup of the season in the game.
• When leading or the game is tied at halftime, Union owns a 5-2 record this season.
• The 27 made free throws are a season best for Union.
• The win over Georgetown was also a Mid-South Conference contest.