Box Score
Lee recovered from a late rally by visiting Shorter University on Saturday afternoon in Walker Arena and held on to post a 53-49 Gulf South Conference victory.
The Lady Flames improved to 11-4 and 7-2 and held on to second place in the Gulf South. Shorter slipped to 5-11 and 3-6 but the Lady Hawks always challenge coach Marty Rowe's club.
The Lady Flames led by a 46-33 margin midway of the second half but Shorter refused to fold and kept battling. The margin was trimmed to only two points at 51-49 when Ieshia Alexander drove for the bucket but missed the shot. Lee pulled down the rebound and Jenna Adams converted two free-throws to seal the victory.
"We've got to play hard in the league for 40 minutes and I keep preaching that to our girls," said coach Marty Rowe. "That came back to bit us at North Georgia and North Alabama, and almost did again tonight. I knew Shorter would not quit. I've coached against them too many times."
The Lady Flames, who led by a 28-18 margin at the half, were led by Hollie German with 26 points. Jenna Adams followed with 14 points and seven rebounds. Rachel Lockhart played her usual tough defensive ball and also garnered seven rebounds. She recorded two blocks and a steal.
The Lady Hawks were led by Alexander with 18 points while Lynette Harris tallied 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Turnovers spelled the difference in the contest as the visitors turned the basketball over 23 times and Lee committed 14 floor mistakes.
The Lady Flames shot a season low 28 percent from the field and just 26 percent from 3-point range (4-of-17). From the line Lee also struggled making 16-of-25 (60 percent). On the other hand, Shorter shot 34 percent overall but just 21 percent from behind the arc. The Lady Hawks did convert 16-of-22 free throws.
"Turnovers and missed free throws show a lack of focus," added Rowe. "We'll talk a lot more about that on Monday. Sure we are in second place, but the toughest part of our schedule is ahead of us. West Florida proved what I've been saying when they beat Delta State earlier tonight. We've still got three rugged road assignments remaining."
Lee will hit the road again on Thursday and start the second go-around in the Gulf South when they face West Florida. Next Saturday they will be up against Valdosta State.
