The Lee men's basketball team (19-8) will be looking to post its seventh straight victory when it hosts Union University (22-7) in the semifinal round of the GSC Championships being staged at the Pete Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University on Saturday at 8:15 ET. The winner will be pitted against the other semifinal contest played earlier between Alabama Huntsville and West Alabama.
The Flames and Bulldogs have tangled twice this season. Union won in Jackson way back on Dec. 2, 60-57, while Lee evened the score one week ago inside Walker Arena, 84-77. Michael McGuirk led the way for the Flames in that win with 20 points. Quay Kennedy added 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Beyuan Hendricks tallied 12 points and dished off six assists. Jeremiah Littlepage paced the Bulldogs in the losing effort with 20 points and six caroms. Tyree Boykin followed with 18 markers and Boe Nguidjol totaled 14 points.
"We are excited to be advancing again to another GSC semifinal game in Birmingham this Saturday," commented Lee's coach Bubba Smith. "Our hope is to get over the hump this year and make it to Sunday." Last season after defeating West Alabama in the tournament's opening round inside Walker Arena, the Flames traveled to Birmingham and dropped a two-point decision to Alabama Huntsville.
"Union presents some challenges, and we know it will be a 40-minute battle. Even though we just played them last week, getting on a neutral court with your season on the line adds a new dimension. Our team has been able to stay in the moment and just focus on one game at a time. Union's size and length makes them a hard team to score against," Smith added.
"They can defend and protect the rim as good as anyone in the league. We know there are adjustments that both teams will make in such a short turnaround. We just need to string together another 40 minutes of unselfish basketball and compete for each other. If we do that, we will be happy with the result," he concluded. In the final D2 South Regional poll, Union is ranked fifth and Lee tenth.
Boykin, who was named the GSC player of the year, averages over 19 ppg from his guard position. Nguidjol (6-foot-8) averages 13.5 ppg and 7 rpg. Tylandrius Parks (6-foot-5) follows with an 11.7 ppg and 6 rpg average. Hunter Vick is not far behind at 9.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Coach David Niven usually goes with a seven-player rotation.
Kennedy, who will direct the Flames into the key contest, was named to the All-GSC Team. He averages 14.4 ppg and a team-leading 6 rpg. Quay hits 85% (102-120) of his free throws. Consistent Jayce Willingham stands at 12.7 ppg and over 5 rpg. He shoots .550 from the field and loves to take it to the rack. McGuirk has battled through injures but is back at full strength, scoring at an 11 ppg clip and pulling down 4.4 rpg. Redshirt freshman Makhi McGuire has given Coach Smith key minutes and is always a threat from long range.
However, it has been PJay Smith who has created a king-sized buzz around the conference. Already known as a lockdown defender, Smith has nailed 30 of his 57 3-point attempts (.526%). He was recently named the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year and has moved into a starting role for the Flames.
Saturday's 8:15 ET radio broadcast will be carried on the (Buzz) Talk Radio 101.3 FM and can be viewed on TV FLO SPORTS.
