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Abby Bertram made a pair of key free throws with only 22 seconds remaining to help give the Lee women's basketball team a thrilling 71-67 victory over rival Union University on Saturday afternoon inside Walker Arena. The win improved the 5th-ranked Lady Flames' record to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in GSC play. The Lady Bulldogs dropped to 11-3, 5-1.
With the Lady Flames leading 69-67 and having trouble getting the ball inbound, Lee head coach Marty Rowe called a timeout. Rowe's club executed his well-designed play to perfection and Bertram was fouled as she attempted a layup.
"It's a play we haven't used much, but we saw the opportunity with Union's big girl (Jaelencia Williams) guarding the in-bounds pass. Our girls did an excellent job of getting the ball to Abby (Bertram)," said Coach Rowe after his club defeated the talented Lady Bulldogs for the third straight time dating back to last season.
"It was a good win by our team today. It's a hard game to come back from an extended break, so it's great to play well enough to get a win," pointed out Rowe
The day was made even more special by the retiring of former Lady Flames Hollie German (Lowe), No. 14 jersey. The All-American's jersey was hoisted into the rafters of Walker Arena. "We're so excited to retire Hollie's jersey. She's the epitome of what we want our players to stand for, so it's only fitting to see her number hanging in Walker Arena," said Rowe.
The Lady Flames jumped out to a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, but as expected the Lady Bulldogs stiffened on the defensive end in the second 10 minutes and cut Lee's lead to 35-31 at halftime. Lee continued to hold a narrow margin after the third frame, 56-53. Union gained its first lead in the fourth quarter but key plays down the stretch insured the Lady Flames victory.
Sophomore Camryn Grant enjoyed her best game of the season and paced Lee's scoring with 18 points. She was 7-of-13 from the field and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. Grant also led Lee's rebounding with eight. Sophomore Haley Schubert was only other Lee player in double figures (12 points). She also had four assists.
Coach Rowe noted that nine of his players had a hand in the victory. Lindsey Roddy canned a pair of treys and was 3-of-4 from the charity stripe, finishing with nine points. Bertram had an off-shooting afternoon but dished off six big assists to go with her seven points. Becca Cheeks gave the Lady Flames a lift with seven points and Halle Hughes nailed a 3-pointer and was 2-of-2 from the stripe. Taylor Boggess also hit a 3-pointer as the Lady Flames were 9-of-28 from beyond the arc and 16-of-20 from the free-throw stripe. Lee outscored the Lady Bulldogs 21-9 in points off the bench.
Jada Smith and Jacie Higgins had 14 points to lead Union's scoring. Emily Beard kept the visitors in the contest by hitting 4-of-5 triples and finishing with 12 points. Lee's defense held Union's leading scorer (Williams) to just 12 points. The Lady Bulldogs made 8-of-16 3-pointers and 19-of-23 charity tosses. Lee commanded the backboards winning the battle of the glass 39-27.
The Lady Flames will hit the road for another tough test on Thursday when they face the University of West Georgia. The contest is slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.
