FLORENCE, Ala. – The Lee University men's basketball team's three-game winning streak was snapped Thursday night with an 83-66 loss at North Alabama. The Flames fell to 9-7 overall and 5-5 in the Gulf South Conference, while the Lions improved to 9-7 (4-6 GSC).
It was the first loss during Lee's three-game road streak. The Flames return to Walker Arena to face No. 25 Alabama Huntsville at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
"Obviously you're doing things well when you can 2-of-3 on the road," said Lee head coach Bubba Smith. "We don't have much time to get ready for Saturday, but they (UAH) are sort of like us and Christian Brothers, offensively. Hopefully our familiarity with them will help us with the quick turnaround."
The Flames trailed by 12 at the half and chipped away at the deficit to get within four points (53-49) with 10:14 remaining in the game. North Alabama outscored the Flames 21-6, which included a seven-minute field goal drought, to push their lead to 74-55.
Keevin Tyus led Lee with 22 points and five rebounds. Rico Overall returned to the lineup and made 7-of-9 shots on his way to 17 points. Levi Woods gave Lee three players in double-digit scoring with 10.
Lee made 25-of-51 (.490) shots from the field, but were just 4-for-18 (.222) from behind the arc. North Alabama was 24-for-58 (.414) from the floor, including 6-of-18 (.333) from distance.
The hosts held a huge advantage at the free throw line and on the boards. UNA went to the charity stripe 33 times and made 29. The Flames took 16 trips and made 12. The Lions tallied 45 rebounds, including 19 offensive boards that led to 22 second-chance points. Lee was credited with 21 total rebounds and turned four offensive rebounds into eight second-chance points.
"I knew second-chance points would be big," admitted Smith. "They did a good job of putting us in situations where we were unable to get into position to rebound. The zone did its job, but there is more space, so you can't just go to the rim. We fouled a little too much and they hurt us at the line."
North Alabama placed four players in double-digits with Tavaras Tolliver posting a game-high 23 points. Jeff Hodge added 13 markers, while Johnell Ginnie and DeAndre McKinnie contributed 12 each.
Austin Timms pulled down 13 rebounds to lead UNA's rebounding attack. Ginnie added nine boards and Tolliver had seven.
