FLORENCE, Ala. - Host North Alabama marched to the free throw line 29 times and converted 19, plus out-rebounding the Lee men 46-33 on Saturday afternoon in Gulf South Conference action.

The Flames (6-3, 2-1) held a 38-32 lead at the break and built the margin to nine points (47-36) on a basket by Valentino Thomas with 16:45 remaining in the hard-fought battle. The Lions came roaring right back and tied the game at 51. The teams exchanged the lead at least four times down the stretch before North Alabama converted key free throws and claimed the 76-69 victory.

"Our kids played hard," said coach Tommy Brown. "I certainly can't fault the effort but we missed too many bunnies in the second half. We were getting the shots we wanted but we couldn't convert. I guess that will be a part of the growing pains of this young team in a very tough league."

Valentino Thomas was extremely hot in the first half and paced the early Lee advantage with 16 points in the opening 20 minutes. He finished the evening with 20 points. Corey Billingsley picked up the scoring slack in the second half and scored 22 points. No other Flame scored in double figures.

For the winner Rashaun Claiborne had a double-double, 18 points and 13 rebounds. He also converted key free throws near the end. Bruce Adams also had a double-double, 12 points and 11 rebounds. Overall, the Lions shot 40 percent from the field after being held to only 29 percent in the first half.

Lee finished the game with a 41 percent shooting mark and canned 6-of-15 3-pointers. The Flames were awarded only 11 free throws and were able to convert just six. "Free-throw shooting hurt us late in the game," noted Brown. "In the second half I thought it was a case of our offense hurting the defense, and our inability to hit the bunnies sparked them on the offensive end. Don't take anything away from North Alabama, like everyone else in this league, they are a strong, physical basketball team."

The Flames will look to regroup and return to action on Monday when they move on over to Jackson, Tenn. and face an old TranSouth Conference rival in Union University. The doubleheader is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and will be carried on 104.1 FM beginning at 6:50.