ROME, Ga. – In a battle for the eighth spot in the upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament the Lee University Flames basketball team fell 79-69 at Shorter University. The Flames (9-11, 5-9 GSC) entered the night tied with Shorter and West Georgia for the final spot. West Georgia (5-8 GSC) was idle Monday night.
Lee placed four players in double-digit scoring with Rico Overall leading the way with 20 points. Overall was 3-for-5 from behind the arc and made 7-of-10 free throw attempts. Jervon Johnson made 12-of-13 free throws on his way to 16 points and five rebounds.
Keevin Tyus converted 7-of-8 trips to the charity stripe and finished with 16 markers. Tyus also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Ryan Montgomery was the final Flame to hit double-figures. Montgomery made 6-of-7 free throws on his way to 10 points. He also recorded six boards.
The Flames posted season highs in free throws attempted (39) and free throws made (33) in the loss. The Hawks made 25 trips to the line and made 20.
Shorter outrebounded Lee by a 34-30 margin and turned seven offensive rebounds into 11 second-chance points. Lee scored nine second-chance points off four offensive rebounds.
Lee made 16-of-44 (.364) shots from the field and were 4-for-18 (.222) from behind the arc. The Hawks were 25-for-55 (.455) overall and made 9-of-26 (.346) 3-pointers.
Shorter was led by Phil Taylor's 26 points and five assists. Taylor entered the game as the top scorer in NCAA Division II with 34.2 points per game.
Damerit Brown posted 19 markers and Amonte Potter added 14 points and six rebounds. Eric Ross posted a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
The Flames return to Paul Dana Walker Arena to host North Alabama on Thursday. The GSC matchup is scheduled for 8 p.m. as part of Lee's Hoops For Hope Night.
