The Lee University Flames' comeback and upset bid of No. 24 Christian Brothers University came up a little short Thursday night in Paul Dana Walker Arena. The Flames were edged by the Memphis school, 73-70, in their Gulf South Conference opener.
The Flames (5-1, 0-1 GSC) were led offensively by Cory Billingsley. The senior was 7-for-11 from the field and made 5-of-6 free throw attempts to tally 21 points.
Stedmon Ford, Tyquan Roberts and Chase Cullen were the only other Flames to score in double digits. Ford finished with 15 points and four assists. Roberts added 12 points and Cullen threw in 10.
Lee trailed by 21 with 13 ½ minutes remaining in the game, but slowly and systematically cut into the lead. With just under six minutes to go, the Flames went on a 16-5 run over the next five minutes to pull within five points. Lee wouldn't get any closer until Ford's made 3-pointer in the waning seconds supplied the final margin.
"Number 44 (Charlie Oswald) stepped up and made a couple 3-pointers when we were trying to come back," said Lee head coach Tommy Brown.
Oswald finished the game 3-for-5 from beyond the arc to post nine points in the win. Sidy Sall poured in a game-high 22 points to go with eight rebounds.
Ryan Fleming registered a double-double for the visiting Bucs. Fleming tallied 12 points and dished off 10 assists.
"Fleming is the best passer I've ever had a team play against," said Brown.
CBU (3-1, 1-0 GSC) shot 56 percent in the first half and carried a 39-26 lead into the halftime break. The Flames made 38 percent of their shots in the first 20 minutes.
"I was disappointed we could never get into anything offensively in the first half, but Christian Brothers had a lot to do with that," admitted Brown. "Their pressure defense really doesn't try to turn you over. It just keeps you from getting into your offense."
Lee won the rebounding battle with 34 boards compared to CBU's 26. The Flames grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and turned them into eight second-chance points. Christian Brothers tallied five second-chance points off eight offensive boards.
"It's hard enough to play during exam week, but it is extremely taxing to get the team ready for a team like Christian Brothers," finalized Brown.
The Flames will look to bounce back on Saturday when Union University comes to Walker Arena for a 4 p.m. GSC contest.
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