The long layoff had little affect on the Lee basketball team as they topped Loyola (La.) 74-65 Friday evening at Walker Arena. It was the first game in 13 days for the Flames.

The victory keeps the Flames unbeaten on the year moving them to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). With the loss the Wolf Pack fall to 5-3 and 2-1 in conference play.

"It's tough to simulate game situations in practice" admitted Coach Tommy Brown. "They're (Loyola) a good team and they play tough and physical, it wasn't a pretty game because they don't allow you to play pretty. They almost beat Tulane last week so we knew it was going be a tough battle"

The Flames were up for the tough, physical challenge. Lee outrebounded Loyola 46-35, and limited them to just 32.4 percent from the field. The Flames used a second-half surge, shooting 60 percent from the field (15-of-25) outscoring the Louisiana club 45-33 in the second half after trailing by three at the break.

Leading the offensive attack for Coach Brown's club was senior Will Barnes who had a game high 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting. Barnes was also active on the boards pulling down seven rebounds.  Junior guard Chase Dunn added 12 markers for the Flames and Corey Billingsley provided a spark off the bench with 12 points and five boards.

"Will (Barnes) had a great game and really got us going in the second-half" noted Brown.

Steve Bennett had eight points and eight rebounds battling down in the post. Chad Lee was his usual active self pulling down seven boards for the home team.

At the free-throw line Lee converted 16-of-24 good for 66.7 percent. Loyola made the most of their 19 opportunities from the charity strip, cashing in on 16 (72.7 percent).

Setting the pace for the Wolf Pack was the combination of McCall Tomeny and Robert Lovaglio. Both registered 18 points and six rebounds. Kyle Simmons was 3-of-9 from behind the arc accounting for 12 points while Manuel Gandara pulled down nine boards for Loyola.

The Flames won't have much time to relax, tomorrow afternoon they will host another conference foe, Spring Hill College. Tip time is set for 5 p.m. at Walker Arena.

"We have quick turn around tomorrow. Spring Hill is a very similar team to Loyola. They play a very physical type of game and like to try and slow the game down and play in the half-court." Brown said.