Union University used a combination of 3-point baskets and made free-throws to gain revenge for a defeat suffered at the hands of the Lee Flames some 10 days ago in Jackson, Tenn.
 
Tray Boyd and Nick Velasquez teamed to convert eight of the Bulldogs' 10 triples and Boyd joined with KC Goodwin to nail six charity tosses in the final two minutes in the 69-64 victory over the Flames in front of a jam-packed crowd in Walker Arena on Thursday evening.
 
The ESPN3 production seemed to bring out the best in the Union squad during the final minutes of play as they recorded a badly needed Gulf South Conference victory. The win gives the Bulldogs a 10-9 overall mark but more importantly a 5-8 record in the tough GSC race. The Flames dropped to 9-9 overall and 5-7 in conference action.
 
Things don't get any easier for the Lee club as they will host Christian Brothers on Saturday afternoon in the nightcap of a doubleheader. The women will tip at 2 p.m. and the men are scheduled to follow at 4 p.m. It will be free ice cream afternoon in the arena as Mayfield Dairy Farms will sponsor their annual event.
 
Not only did the Bulldogs hit key shots down the stretch, the Flames battled foul problems the entire evening. Leading scorer Keevin Tyus played only 23 minutes, while Cody Farley and Ryan Montgomery also spent extra time on the bench after picking up quick fouls in the second half.
 
The Flames led 30-26 at halftime but were outscored 43-34 by the Bulldogs in the second stanza. "We battled back late in the game, but every time we would pull with one, they would either make a 3-pointer or we would be whistled for a foul," said coach Bubba Smith after the loss. "Give Union credit, they are a good basketball team with a lot of size."
 
Senior Jervon Johnson tried to bring the Flames back with a pair of treys in the final minutes and finished the contest with 19 points. He was 4-of-7 from behind the arc and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. Tyus fought back late in the game and managed to tally 13 points, while Levi Woods rounded out Lee's double-figure attack by also recording 13 markers. He was 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line.
 
The Flames finished the evening with 40.1 percent from the field and made 9-of-23 3-pointers. They went to the line 19 times and made 13 (68 percent).
 
The Bulldogs roared back in the second half by shooting 64 percent from behind the arc and 54 percent from the field. The balanced attack was paced by Boyd's 19 points. Velasquez posted 14 points while Jarad Scott finished with a double-double, 13 points and 17 rebounds. Goodwin totaled 12 and Charlie Wilson gave the Union club five players in double figures with 10 points.
 
The Bulldogs won the rebound battle 38-29 and turned the basketball over 13 times. Lee only had six floor mistakes to go along with 11 assists. Rico Overall had four assists and Farley three. The contest was tied four times and there were 11 lead changes.