CARROLLTON, Ga. – A late-game comeback attempt by Lee University came up short as the Flames dropped a Gulf South Conference (GSC) matchup to University of West Georgia, 80-79, at The Coliseum. Lee (3-9, 1-6 GSC) remains on the road to face University of West Alabama in Livingston on Monday at 8:30 p.m. EST.
The Flames led by as much as 10 points in the first half and held a 43-40 edge at the halftime break. West Georgia (8-4, 5-2 GSC) gained the lead for good with 15 minutes left in the game. The Wolves built a nine-point lead at 80-71 with 3:29 remaining. The Flames pulled to within one point with 48 ticks left on the clock, but neither side was able to add to their point total.
"My heart goes out to our guys," said Lee head coach Tommy Brown. "They really battled and had a great effort, perhaps against the most talented team in our conference. They responded well to adversity and have had a good attitude."
Rico Overall led four Flames into double-digit scoring. The junior made 7-of-14 shots on his way to 16 points. Keevin Tyus recorded his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Bryce Copeland was 4-for-4 from behind the arc to finish with 12 points and four rebounds. CJ Reese added 10 points to go with four rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Jervon Johnson supplied nine points, while Chase Cullen added seven markers, two boards and two assists. Rantavious Gilbert recorded seven rebounds and blocked five shots in the loss.
"We broke out the 2-3 zone and it worked," added Brown. "I think it helped us a lot. We have one of the nation's top shot-blockers and you'd like to keep somebody like that around the rim."
The Flames made 28-of-49 (.571) shots from the field and were 8-for-10 (.800) from beyond the arc. West Georgia was 30-for-67 (.448) overall and 6-of-19 (.316) from distance. Neither team excelled at the free throw line. The Flames made 55.6 percent (15-for-27) and the hosts converted just 14-of-34 (.412) attempts.
The Flames tallied 18 points off 22 West Georgia turnovers, while the Wolves turned 28 Lee floor mistakes into 26 points. UWG cashed 16 offensive rebounds in for 20 second chance points. Lee registered one point for each of its six offensive boards.
Iakeem Alston was the points-leader for West Georgia with 19. Alston also had five assists and four rebounds. Shannon Fowler added 15 points and Keron Briggs had 13 to give UWG three double-digit scorers.
Deontre Brown dished out five assists to go with seven points. Steph Branch was the team's rebounding leader with eight. Branch also contributed nine points.
