FLORENCE, Ala. – Savannah Stults made the backend of a pair of free throws with 0.3 seconds left to turn back the Lady Flames' comeback and hand North Alabama a 63-62 win. Lee dropped to 9-3 overall and 2-2 in the Gulf South Conference, while UNA remained unbeaten at 11-0 (4-0 GSC).
Lindsey Roddy made a layup with 16 seconds remaining to even the score for the first time since the 7:12 mark of the third period after North Alabama had led by as much as seven points.
"I'm proud of our effort," said Lee University head coach Marty Rowe. "We played hard and played well. I'm not at all disappointed in our team. We played unbelievable today and deserved to win."
Roddy finished the game with 10 points to go along with two rebounds and four assists. Abby Bertram was Lee's leading scorer with 16.
Maddie Long contributed eight points and Taylor Boggess added seven more. Erin Walsh and Carrie Cheeks scored six points each. Shelby Brown tallied five points and a team-leading nine rebounds. Anna Woodford and Nicky Widenski rounded out the scoring with two markers a piece.
The Lady Flames made 24-of-67 (.358) from the field and were 5-for-21 (.238) from behind the arc. UNA was 23-for-59 (.390) overall and 3-for-15 (.200) from distance. Lee was a perfect 9-for-9 at the charity stripe. The Lions made 25 trips to the line and converted 14.
Lee won the battle of the boards 49-35 and turned 16 offensive rebounds into 11 second-chance points. UNA recorded nine second-chance points from eight offensive boards.
The Lions placed three players in double figures with Brittany Panetti pouring in a game-high 18 points. Emma Wallen scored 17 and Ivy Wallen posted 12 points to go with seven assists.
The Lady Flames will take some time off to enjoy the Christmas break before traveling to Western Kentucky University on Dec. 29. The exhibition game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EST.
"It will be a great opportunity to play them," stated Rowe. "Although it is an exhibition for us, they are counting it as a regular game. It will help us get the competitive edge and knock off some rust before getting back into conference play after the break."
Lee returns to Paul Dana Walker Arena on Jan. 2 to begin the 2018 portion of the schedule against Valdosta State University. The GSC battle will tipoff at 6 p.m.
