CLEVELAND, Tenn.-Lee Coach Bubba Smith hopes the performance displayed by his Flames on Saturday in the big road win at West Georgia will carry over into Thursday night's key home game (8 p.m.) against Union University. The Bulldogs are also coming off a big victory over West Alabama, and like Lee will be seeking to move up in the GSC standings. The Flames hold down third place (16-6) in the standings and one game behind West Alabama and Alabama Huntsville (17-5). The Bulldogs (13-9) are currently in the sixth spot but could move up a couple of positions.
"I was really proud of how our team battled back this past weekend. West Georgia is a tough team at home and (Coach) Dave (Moore) has had his team playing well," explained Coach Smith. "We found some toughness down the stretch and some of the things we have been working on and addressing defensively began to show up in the second half. The energy and effort our guys found in the second half was fun to watch. It led to easier points in transition and opened some space for our guards to make plays. That game certainly has huge GSC and Region implications.
"Union is coming off their biggest win on Saturday, knocking off UWA convincingly," noted Smith. "They are still one of the more talented teams in the GSC and when they put 40 minutes of basketball together, they are as good as anyone. Union can score it in different ways, and they have good size and athleticism with their guards and forwards. I still believe there is very little separation in the top five or six teams in the GSC. It's been a really tough conference schedule for everyone, and every team from top to bottom has improved."
Back on January 7th, Union handed the Flames a 61-54 defeat in Jackson. The Bulldogs controlled the glass, outrebounding the Flames 44-27. Boe Nquidjol was the leader of that win. The 6-foot-8 senior had 17 points and 13 rebounds. All totaled four Bulldogs hit double figures. Tylandrius Parks (6-foot-5), who averages 19.3 ppg, tallied 13 points and Jeremiah Littlepage (6-foot-8) also had 13.
The Flames will counter with a smaller lineup. Jayce Willingham tops the list with a 16.3 ppg average. PJay Smith has moved to 16 ppg and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds. Beyuan Hendricks has hit big shots and averages 12.3 ppg. Both Smith and Hendricks make 45% of their shots from long range.
"It is important we finish our home stand this week the right way, but we will have to play well," noted Coach Smith. "Christian Brothers and John (Reilly's) teams are always going to guard you well and make it a physical game. They find ways to be in every game and they have shot it better this year. They strung together two good wins over West Florida and Montevallo a couple weeks ago, but then hit a tough stretch of the schedule with Auburn Montgomery, West Alabama, and Alabama Huntsville, teams that have all been playing their best basketball late."
Honoring Seniors
"We look forward to honoring our two seniors, Michael McGuirk and Jayce Willingham on Saturday," said Smith in closing. "These two guys have been cornerstones of our program, and we would not be where we are today without their contributions. They are a joy to coach and are terrific young men. I cannot thank them enough for what they mean to me personally and to Lee University."
