LIVINGSTON, Alabama – Led by the second-half surge of sophomore Haley Shubert and senior Lindsey Roddy, Lee's 7th-ranked Lady Flames overcame a 16-point first half deficit (32-16) and posted a 73-62 victory over host University of West Alabama on Saturday. The win improved Lee's record to a GSC-leading 9-1 and 17-1 overall.
After being down by 16 midway through the second quarter, the Lady Flames displayed their girt and cut the margin down to only 34-28 by halftime. The second 20 minutes was a totally different story as Lee head coach Marty Rowe regrouped his Lady Flames and they quickly turned the contest around.
"This was a really great gut check for our team. West Alabama came out and really took it at us in that first quarter but we hung in there, stayed connected and battled. Wins on the second day of road trips separate the teams in our league, so this is a great win for our team," said the pleased veteran Lee coach.
The Tigers scored 14 of their 24 first quarter points from the free-throw line in gaining the 24-11 advantage against the slow-starting Lady Flames. Lee picked up the pace in the second 10 minutes and fought its way back into the contest.
Roddy exploded for five quick points midway of the third period and Schubert drilled a 3-pointer to put the Lady Flames up by 59-50 and they never looked back. Schubert was the game's leading scorer (8-of-11) from the field and finished with 20 points. Roddy was 6-of-12 from the field, knocked down a triple and was 5-of-6 from the charity stripe and tallied 18 points. Abby Bertram rounded out the double-digit scoring with 11.
Lee won the rebounding battle 38-34. Bertram pulled down nine and Camryn Grant garnered five. The Lady Flames showed some patience and only turned the basketball over 10 times and forced the Tigers into 19 floor mistakes. Lee shot 41 percent from the field (27-of-66) and converted 17-of-22 free throws.
The Lady Flames outscored the Tigers 48-34 in points in the paint and a game-changing 21-6 advantage off turnovers. They also took advantage of 16 fast-break points, several coming in the final period.
Again, the Lady Flames went to the bench often and nine players saw action. Taylor Boggess came off the bench and played 35 minutes, Halle Hughes, Maddie Long and Becca Cheeks also gave the winners key minutes.
Tazsa Garrett-Hammett and Bria Dent led the West Alabama scoring with 15 markers each. Naelyn Rios followed closely with 14 points. Dent produced a double-double with 11 rebounds.
The Lady Flames will return home for a pair of games next Thursday and Saturday. They will host Mississippi College (Thursday) and face a battle with rival Delta State on Saturday.
