The Lee University women's basketball team ended a three-game losing streak in convincing style on Friday evening inside Walker Arena, defeating Shorter University 100-40. The Lady Flames outscored the visitors 60-16 in the second half and reached the century mark for the first time this season. The victory improves Lee to 7-5 while Shorter drops to 2-11.
The Lady Flames led 40-24 at the half and continued to increase the winning margin in the second 20 minutes. Coach Marty Rowe used all 12 available players while the Lady Hawks also went to their bench for 12 players. The same two teams will meet again on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. inside Walker Arena.
Four Lee players scored in double figures and 11 got into the scoring action. Freshman Julia Duncan produced a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds. She also dished off four assists. Hannah Garrett followed closely with 18 points while Halle Hughes was 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and finished with 14 points. Haley Schubert rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12. She also added six rebounds and five assists.
Maddie Long had only two points but registered six assists and four rebounds. Addison Smith hit a pair of triples and tallied eight points. Cam Grant totaled seven points while Macy Woodworth added six points and four rebounds. Micah Black came on to knock down a pair of treys in tallying six points while Morgan Carbaugh had five points and three rebounds. Lynnsey Keener rounded out the scoring with three points and two boards.
The Lady Flames had 22 assists to just 11 turnovers while forcing the Lady Hawks into 23 floor mistakes. Lee shot 55% from the field, 50% from 3-point range (14-of-28) and converted 12-of-18 free throws. The defense held Shorter to 31% shooting from the field but the Lady Hawks did hit 44% of their treys (7-of-16). They went to the line only three times and converted one. Lee commanded the glass by a 46-21 margin.
Jasmine Gaines was the only scoring threat for the losers, tallying 19 points. Ashley Barge hit a pair of triples and totaled eight points. Mekala Fuller added seven and Baliee Usrey nailed a couple of long-range shots and was the only other Lady Hawk to crack the scoreboard with six points.
"It was a much better job by our group to play with purpose and urgency, especially on the defensive end tonight. I'm excited to see us play tomorrow and see if we can put back-to-back games together," commented Coach Rowe after the win. "Everyone on our team gave us something positive tonight and we need that same effort each time we play."
