BARBOURVILLE, Ky. | The Truett McConnell women's basketball team fell to the preseason favorite to win the AAC, Union College, 97-64, Wednesday night. The Bears are now .500 for the season at 9-9.

Union took an early lead and, despite the Bears outscoring the Bulldogs in the second quarter, held on for the wire-to-wire win.

The Bulldogs put the game away in the third quarter when they stretched the lead to 32 points with a shot at the buzzer.

Quinlan Hughes led the way for the Bears with 14 points. Anna Murr added 13, while Janae' Simpson contributed 12.

The Bears will return to the friendly confines of the Bear Cave on Saturday as they look to avenge an early season loss to Tennessee Wesleyan. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.