CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Lee University men's basketball finished the Wentz Financial GSC/SIAC Classic 1-1 after falling to Lane College, 87-68, Sunday afternoon.
"Our guys will have to learn that everything will not always go their way," said Lee head coach Bubba Smith. "We had some players who did not react to some of those things today, but we will use this as a learning experience and get better."
Rico Overall led a threesome of Flames in double-digit scoring with 18 points. Parker Suedekum tallied 12 points and Keevin Tyus threw in 10. Overall and Suedekum each grabbed eight rebounds, while Tyus recorded six boards.
"I thought Parker showed composure today and turned in a solid performance," Smith said.
The Flames shot 36 percent (20-for-55) from the floor and were 7-of-26 (.269) from beyond the arc. Lane (1-1) made 27-of-71 (.380) shots from the field and 9-of-28 (.321) from distance. The two teams combined for 69 trips to the free throw line. Lee made 21-of-33 attempts and Lane was 24-for-36.
Lane won the battle of the boards 47-44 and turned 16 offensive rebounds into 15 second chance points. The Flames converted 12 offensive boards into seven points. The Dragons scored 21 points off of Lee's 17 turnovers, while the Flames had three points scored off eight Lane turnovers.
"Lane College was a skilled and very physical team and Terrance Bridgeman showed us why he is the coach's preseason player of the year in the SIAC," said Smith.
Bridgeman made 10-of-14 free throw attempts on his way to a game-high 28 points. He also added five rebounds. Maurice Alexander was 5-for-8 from behind the arc and finished with 21 points. Kendarius Ash recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Montez Williams was the final Dragon in double-figures with 10 points.
"It is unusual to get a full week off at this time of the year, but we will use that to the best of our advantage and work to improve as we host Brescia University next weekend," added Smith.
The non-conference matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m.
