The Lee University women's basketball team lost its second-consecutive game with a 63-56 defeat to No. 14 Union University Thursday evening in Paul Dana Walker Arena. The Lady Flames fell to 18-6 overall and 11-5 in the Gulf South Conference. Union improved to 22-2 and lead the conference with a 15-1 mark.
With the loss and Valdosta State's 70-67 win at West Georgia, the Lady Flames and Lady Blazers are tied for third in the GSC, three games behind North Alabama (14-2) and one ahead of West Florida (10-6).
Lee (18-6) placed three players in double-figure scoring. Lindsey Roddy made 8-of-11 shots on her way to a team-high 17 points. Carrie Cheeks was 6-for-7 to tally 13 points and completed the double-double with 10 rebounds. The senior also had five blocked shots and three assists. Erin Walsh was the final Lady Flame in double digits with 10 markers.
The Lady Flames were 22-of-52 (.423) from the field and made 4-of-15 (.267) 3-point attempts. The Lady Bulldogs were 19-for-58 (.328) from the floor and 8-of-26 (.308) from behind the arc. Union held a large advantage at the free throw line where they made 17-of-18 (.944), while Lee struggled and made just 8-of-23 (.348).
Union edged the Lady Flames with 39 rebounds to Lee's 36. Both teams recorded nine offensive boards, but the visitors scored 11 second-chance points, while the Lady Flames posted eight.
"Union's a good rebounding team, but they don't dominate people on the glass and we outrebound people by 10," said Lee head coach Marty Rowe. "We gave up long rebound after long rebound. They get to the foul line and make you pay. We get to the foul line and let them off the hook. It's unexplainable. If you're going to be a good team and beat a good team, you have to so good at every facet of your game."
Chelsey Shumpert was one of two Union players to reach double figures in scoring. Shumpert was 10-for-29 from the field, including 4-of-12 from behind the arc, and added 11 made free throws in as many tries to tally a game-leading 35 points. AnnaLea Little made four 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. Jada Perkins was the team-leader with nine rebounds.
The matchup was part of the annual Hoops 4 Hope Austism Awareness Game that helps benefit autistic students and their families and support the Lee University Developmental Inclusion Classroom (LUDIC).\
"It's a big night for us. Austism awareness is very special to our program. It's just a great night," said Rowe.
The Lady Flames look to get back on the winning track on Saturday afternoon when Christian Brothers University visits Walker Arena. The GSC contest is scheduled to tip at 2 p.m.
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