PENSACOLA, Fla. – Erin Walsh hit four clutch free throws in the final 46 seconds, while Shelby Brown connected on a 3-pointer to tie the game at 59 as the Lee women's basketball team fought an uphill battle most of the evening in posting a thrilling 63-62 victory over host University of West Florida.
It was Lee basketball first appearance in a Gulf South Conference tournament and the Lady Flames made sure it was one that will be long remembered. With the quarter-final victory, they earned the right to travel to Sanford University and the Pete Hanna Center (Birmingham, Ala.) and face top-seeded Union University on Friday at 1 p.m. (EST)
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After Walsh made her final two freebies to put the Lady Flames up 63-59 with only 11 seconds remaining, the Argonauts quickly rushed down the floor and Katie O'Neal nailed a 3-point shot to cut the lead to 63-62 with six seconds left.
West Florida fouled the Lady Flames on the inbounds pass and the Argonauts stayed alive after two free-throw misses by Christina Johnson. One final attempt to win the game by the Argos' Alex Coyne came up short and Lee celebrated the hard-fought victory.
"I told the team at the end of the third quarter that toughness would win this basketball game," said an emotional coach Marty Rowe. "We were the tougher team down the stretch and I am so proud to be able to take this first GSC basketball tournament win back to our campus."
Rowe added that several of his Lady Flames contributed to the win. "We had Haris (Price) in foul trouble most of the game and she later fouled out. Shelby and Kayla (Beavers) made key 3-point shots. What else can you say about the performance of Jordie (Neuharth)? She gave us one of her best efforts on both ends of the floor. We always feel comfortable when Erin goes to the free-throw line."
The Argonauts jumped out to a quick 21-10 lead at the end of the first quarter but after being down by 13 early in the second stanza, the Lady Flames began their comeback and cut the lead down to only 35-30 at the halftime break.
Lee got out of the gate fast in the third period as the defense continued to do the job, holding West Florida to only 10 points in the quarter. However, the Lady Flames did not gain their biggest margin of the entire evening until 11 seconds remained.
The battle was tied seven times and featured eight lead changes. The Argonauts held a 34-28 advantage in points in the paint but Lee fought back by out-scoring the host club 22-9 in points off turnovers. The taller Argos won the rebounding battle 47-32 but Lee had only 11 turnovers compared to 17 for the losers.
Walsh came to life after a slow start and sparked the Lady Flames with 26 points, including 6-of-7 from the charity stripe. Brown pitched in with 12 points and the rest of the Lee scoring was divided among five other players. Seven assists by Neuharth played a major role in the win, while Johnson led the Lee rebounding with seven.
Toni Brewer had a double-double for the Argos, 12 points and 12 rebounds. However, she had 10 points and nine rebounds at halftime, a salute to the defensive job turned in by the Lady Flames against the taller opponent.
"We will return to campus, get a couple hours sleep, send our girls to classes and then return to the practice floor on Wednesday afternoon to get ready for the semi-final round against Union on Friday," said the proud coach Rowe.
