CLEVELAND, Tenn.-Lee University quickly moved out to a 23-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and never trailed in posting its sixth straight victory on Sunday afternoon inside Walker Arena. The 60-34 win over the University of West Alabama improved the Lady Flames overall record to 6-2 and an unbeaten 5-0 GSC record. The Tigers fell to 2-7, 1-6.
Lee will continue conference play next Friday as the team travels to Montgomery to face Auburn University at Montgomery. The Lady Flames will close out the pre-Christmas schedule next Sunday when they host Shorter University.
Lee shot well over 50% from the field and made 8-of-10 free throws in the first half to build a commanding 37-15 lead. The margin grew to 54-22 at the end of three frames before Lee suffered a mild letdown in the final fourth frame and the Tigers outscored the Lady Flames 12-6.
For the game Lee shot 41% from the field (22-of-54) but made just 6-of-18 3-pointers (33%) while converting 10-of-13 free throws. The defense held West Alabama to only 25% shooting (14-of-57). The Tigers made 2-of-16 triples and 4-of-6 free throws.
The Lady Flames were led in scoring by Mallory Hampton, who finished with 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Anna Muhonen added 10 points while Haylee Johnson finished with nine points. Mia Hurst was the leading rebounder with seven. Addison Smith followed with six and Keira Leffew had five boards and six points.
Lee committed only eight turnovers in the game and forced the visitors into 16. Kaedre Denson played just under 10 minutes but sill contributed a team-leading nine points and pulled down four rebounds. Jordan Parker also came off the bench and joined Maryanne Logston with seven points apiece. Shayla Golden and Kiona McCallister were West Alabama's leading rebounders with five each.
Coach Marty Rowe's thoughts:
"We came out today with purpose and urgency on the defensive end. That's really what we've been emphasizing as a coaching staff and you saw our team really take pride in that aspect today.
"I thought we took care of the basketball much better today and that obviously is something we need to continue valuing.
"We are looking forward to being off tomorrow and then getting back to work for a much improved AUM team on Friday."
