JACKSON, Tenn. – The Lee University men's basketball team completed a weekend sweep of Gulf South Conference foes with a 75-68 defeat of Union University Saturday afternoon in Fred DeLay Gymnasium. On Thursday the Flames beat Christian Brothers University, 69-57, for the first time since joining the GSC.
The Flames (9-6, 5-4 GSC) used a 31-10 run to turn a 13-point deficit with 4:42 remaining in the first half into a 51-43 advantage with just under 12 minutes left in the game.
"That was big," said Lee head coach Bubba Smith. "I felt we never had the momentum and it was like we were just holding on. The guys just gutted it out and played tough. Defensively, we strung together enough stops to get back into the game."
Keevin Tyus made 11-of-18 shots to lead the Flames with 23 points. He also contributed five rebounds and three assists. Jervon Johnson added 17 points and Levi Woods made it three Lee players in double-digits with 16 points. Woods recorded nine of Lee's 27 rebounds.
Union (9-6, 4-6 GSC) recorded just 19 rebounds in the game, but turned five offensive boards into 13 second-chance points. Lee outscored the Bulldogs 40-20 in the paint. Both teams turned 11 opponent turnovers into 13 points.
Lee scorched the nets in both halves to finish 30-for-48 (.625) from the field and 5-for-11 (.455) from 3-point range. The Bulldogs made 21-of-44 (.477) shots, including 10-of-18 (.556) from distance. The Flames were 10-for-11 (.909) at the free throw line, while Union made 16-of-23 (.696).
Ashanti Day scored 14 of his team-high 19 points in the first half. KC Goodwin and Nick Velasquez added 14 and 11 markers, respectively. Goodwin was Union's top rebounder with five.
"This was a big weekend for us," admitted Smith. "To come away with two wins was really good. We'll take a day off, get some guys healthy and get ready for next week. Hopefully, we can get everybody healthy and get back to full strength."
The Flames travel to Florence, Ala., to play North Alabama on Thursday before returning to Walker Arena for a showdown with Alabama Huntsville next Saturday. Thursday night's game is scheduled to tip at 9 p.m. EST.
