With the score tied at 59 Ryan Montgomery grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 21 seconds left and Parker Suedekum sealed the game with a steal and two foul shots to send the Lee men's basketball team to its seventh straight win with a 63-59 win over Christian Brothers on Saturday afternoon from Walker Arena.

Montgomery, who was honored with his 1,000-point ball prior to tipoff, finished with 17 points and six rebounds. Suedekum tallied seven points and had three steals.  Sophomore big man Josh Lowe posted a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and had four rejections.

"Seniors have to make plays and I'm proud of our leaders for stepping up in big moments tonight," said Lee head coach Bubba Smith. "Having guys out has forced our guys to play with a toughness and step up. Last weekend was the first time we were at full strength this year but we've found ways to win close games and grind out some tough victories and I think we've seen that togetherness and resiliency just continue to grow so that's exciting to see. Now we will get rested up over break and get ready to get back to work in the new year."

The closely contested Gulf South Conference battle was tied at 31 at the half and featured 18 lead changes and 12 ties. The game was played within a six-point margin over the entire 40 minutes.

"This was the type of game we expected," said Smith. "CBU is well-coached and physical and we knew that the first one to 60 might take this one."

CBU's senior leader Brad Miller kept his team in the contest with 24 points on 8 of 13 shooting from beyond the 3-point line. Daryl Lewis added 14 points. As a team the Memphis club converted just 37.7 percent from the field but stayed in the game on 10 of 20 shooting from 3-point land.

Quay Kennedy added nine points and Jayce Willingham, fresh of GSC Freshman of the Week honors, came off the bench to score seven points, including an emphatic two-handed slam. 

Despite hitting just five triples the Flames shot 45.8 percent from the field, were 14 of 15 from the free-throw line and held a 33-27 advantage on the glass.

The Flames move to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in the GSC while the Bucs fall to 5-7 and 2-3 in league play. Lee has now won three straight over Christian Brothers after dropping seven of the first eight games played against the Memphis club.

The Flames are in second place in the GSC at the Christmas Break just a half game back of Montevallo (4-0). Lee will open 2020 on Saturday Jan. 4 in Walker Arena as it hosts rival Union (9-4, 3-2) at 4 p.m.