JACKSON, Tenn. – For the fifth consecutive game in the series, the home team walked away victorious as the visiting Lee University Flames fell to Union University, 81-61, in a Gulf South Conference (GSC) contest.
As they did on Thursday night, the Flames (2-5, 0-2 GSC) started quickly and held an 11-3 margin with 16:38 remaining in the first half for their largest margin of the game. The Bulldogs (8-0, 2-0 GSC) took the lead for good with a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Brennan Bowling to gain a 38-36 halftime advantage.
Lee trailed by one with 19:11 left in the game before Union methodically built an 18-point lead with just over eight minutes to go. The Flames cut the deficit in half over the next four minutes, but were unable to maintain the momentum.
"I thought we played really hard, but didn't execute," said Lee head coach Tommy Brown. "Our effort was good and we gave ourselves a chance. With a couple plays here and there we would have had a different game."
Rico Overall and CJ Reese led Lee in scoring with 13 points each. Keevin Tyus gave the Flames three players in double-figures with 12 markers. Tyus also added five rebounds.
Jervon Johnson recorded eight points and four rebounds, while Rantavious Gilbert contributed five points, eight rebounds and a blocked shot.
"Rico played pretty well tonight and was probably the best game he has played this year," added Brown. "Rantavious was pretty good in the first half with being patient."
The Flames made 26-of-62 (.419) of their shots and Union was 26-of-60 (.433). Union held sizeable advantages beyond the three-point line and at the charity stripe. The Bulldogs made 9-of-22 3-pointers and 20-of-24 at the free throw line, while Lee made just two of 13 attempts from beyond the arc and made 7-of-9 freebies.
Union placed four players in double-figure scoring. Marterrace Brock led the way with a game-high 19 points and Roy Bullock added 13. Ashanti Day recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds to go with five assists. Serigne Mboup threw in 11 points and grabbed nine boards.
The Flames host Valdosta State University on Thursday (Dec. 10) in the first of their final two home games of the semester. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.
