JACKSON, Tennessee – Led by four players in double-figure scoring, the Lee women's basketball team advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA D2 South Region with an 87-77 victory over Benedict College (Columbia, S.C.) on Friday afternoon at Union University Fred DeLay Gymnasium.
The Lady Flames (25-7) will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 6 p.m. ET and face a familiar rival in Valdosta State University. The Lady Blazers earned the right to face Lee by upsetting second-seed Tampa University in the second game on Friday, 59-50.
Halle Hughes and Julia Duncan led the Lee scoring with 19 points apiece. Hughes hit 7-of-11 shots from the field, 3-of-6 triples, and 2-of-2 free throws. She also pulled down five rebounds. Duncan made 5-of-12 of her shots from the floor and 7-of-8 freebies as the Lady Flames connected on 21-of-24 free throws.
Haley Schubert followed with 16 points, four assists and four rebounds as the Lady Flames outrebounded the taller Benedict team 31-28. Cam Grant played one of her top games of the year and her stat line was proof of the showing. She was 6-of-6 from the field, 3-of-3 from beyond the arc and had a double-double, 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lady Flames got out of the gate quickly and put 28 points on the board by the end of the first period and led 28-18. The scoring slowed by both teams in the second 10 minutes and Lee was on top 39-26 at halftime. Both teams lit up the scoreboard in the third period with a total of 54 points being scored and the Lady Flames continued to lead by 13 points. However, the margin reached 23 points by midway of the fourth period before Benedict rallied one final time and cut the lead to eight.
"This time of year, you have to rely on people that have been in pressure moments, and we had our whole team step up today," praised Coach Marty Rowe. "You have to play Benedict for a full 40 minutes no matter what the score or situation and we were able to withstand their run and get this special win.
"When we needed big shots somebody stepped up and it was coming from everybody today. This team believes in each other and that's a great thing to have this time of year. Our team has worked really hard and deserved the opportunity to play in the NCAA National Tournament and we are certainly going to relish this moment even though we need to quickly get ready for tomorrow's game," concluded Coach Rowe.
Lee shot 54% from the field (28-of-52) and knocked down 10-of-26 3-pointers (39%). Benedict shot 43% from the field, 32% from beyond the arc and converted 11-of-15 free throws. Lee had 17 turnovers and Benedict 15.
Wykira Johnson-Kelly played the entire 40 minutes and led all scorers with 25 points. Ay'Anna Bey followed with 19 and Ayanna Armstead added 17.
