LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The Lee men's basketball team ran into the hottest team in the Gulf South Conference on Saturday afternoon, losing to West Alabama, 79-70 to split a road trip to Alabama.
After defeating Montevallo on Thursday the Flames battled the Tigers who have now won nine straight and improve to 18-5 overall and league best 13-3 in the GSC. The loss drops the Flames to 12-11 and 9-6 in league play.
The two clubs battled to a 34-34 tie in a game that looked like it had the makings for another nail-biter (West Alabama defeated Lee, 70-68 back on Jan. 19 in Cleveland on a last-second 3-pointer) but the Tigers pulled away in the second half outscoring the Flames, 46-37.
The game came down to one run in the second half and we didn't quite respond to it and that was the difference. Other than that stretch it was a really tight game," said Lee head coach Bubba Smith. "Foul trouble continues to hurt us at times and their bench was really good tonight."
Colton Blevins hit three triples and had 17 points. Ryan Montgomery also tallied 17 to go along with five rebounds. Freshman Quay Kennedy continued his solid play since being lifted into the starting lineup in replace of injured guard Michael McGuirk as he scored in double-figures for the second straight contest with 13 and was a perfect 4 of 4 from the field and the foul line. Cody Jones made it four players in double-figures with 12.
Offensively Lee shot 53 percent from the field, 9 of 18 from the 3-point line and 13 of 16 from the charity stripe.
Entering the game as the league leader in defensive field goal percentage the Flames allowed the Tigers to shoot 53 percent from the field and can 10 3-pointers. Foul trouble from Lee allowed the home team to shoot 33 foul shots but the Tigers cashed in just 21.
LaJuan Hardy led West Alabama with 20 points and dished off nine assists. Charles Tripp came off the bench to score 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds. West Alabama outscored the Flames, 32-3 off the bench.
The Flames will get a shot at revenge on Thursday as they head down to Alabama Huntsville. The Chargers defeated Lee on Jan. 17.
"Huntsville is playing as good as anybody in the league right now but I think we match up well with them and it's a game that sits in our guys mind because we didn't play real well when we played them earlier at home. Our guys will be ready come Thursday," concluded Smith.
