NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Colton Blevins scored the final eight points of the half and ended with a game-high 20 to lead the Lee men's basketball team to its sixth straight win in topping Trevecca Nazarene University, 61-44 on New Year's Eve.
The stifling Flames' defense held the Trojans to just 16 points in the first half on 6 of 23 shooting. For the game the Trojans managed just 35 percent from the field and were only 3 of 23 (13 percent) from beyond the arc.
Blevins, the big junior from Jamestown, Tenn., stepped back and hit 4 of 5 from the 3-point line and was 8 of 12 overall while pulling down five rebounds. Michael McGuirk added 13 points and Ryan Montgomery tallied 12 in the winning effort.
The Flames opened up a 33-16 halftime lead and never looked back in scoring the road victory. Lee shot an efficient 50 percent (26 of 52). The 3-ball was falling in the first half (5 of 11) to help open up the 17 point advantage.
"It was good to be able to come back from the break and play against a quality team and get a road win," said Lee head coach Bubba Smith. "Colton shot the ball really well in the first half and I felt like defensive effort set the tone for the night. I was proud of the way we competed especially coming off the holiday break."
Evan Ragsdale paced the Trojans with 16 points. Jaylon Tharpe joined Ragsdale in double-figures with 12.
Both teams committed just 12 points while the Flames held a 32-26 advantage on the glass.
Much to delight of coach Smith the Flames shared the basketball well dishing off 17 assists on the evening, "We like seeing (17 assists) on the night. I thought our guys were really unselfish, especially when they doubled the post defensively. Colton and Ryan did a good job in the second half finding the open man and not forcing anything."
The win moves Lee to 7-5 on the year after a 1-5 start to the season. Trevecca falls to 1-9.
The Flames will open up 2019 with two big Gulf South Conference road contests. Lee travels to Jackson to take on Union on Thursday at 9 p.m. before visiting Christian Brothers on Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m.
Coach Smith's club will return to Walker Arena on Thursday, Jan. 10 for an 8 p.m. tip with West Georgia.
