BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Coach Marty Rowe and his Lee University women's basketball team faced Western Kentucky University in an exhibition contest on Tuesday night in E.A. Diddle Arena. The member of The Conference USA defeated the Lady Flames 70-48.

"It was great getting the opportunity to compete against a Conference USA opponent, having to adjust to WKU's speed and athleticism was fun to watch," said Lee head coach Marty Rowe. "Our goal for a game like this is simple, execute and compete at the highest level we can and see where we need to make adjusts to improve as a team. This game certainly exposed some things we have to work on but also, it allowed us to see some things we are good at. We got better as a team to tonight and that is all we can ask of this group each time out."

The Lady Flames jumped out to an1 4-11 led after one quarter of play, but the Hilltoppers held Lee to just four points in the second frame and were on top 29-18 at the half.

Lee came battling back and outscored the DI club 19-16 after three frames and trailed only two points 37-35. The final period belonged to the home team, and they outscored the Lady Flames 25-11 to claim the win.

Mallory Hampton had 14 points for Lee and Haley Cameron joined Mia Hurst with 11 points each. Addison Smith was the leading rebounder with nine and Hampton pulled down eight. Haylee Johnson dished off six assists and Hampton five. 

A big difference can at the charity stripe where Western Kentucky was awarded 15 free throws and made 13. The Lady Flames marched to the line only four times and canned two. Lee battled on the glass, but the Hilltoppers's, led by Josi Gilvin's claimed a 42-34 margin. The Lady Flames held WKU to 37% shooting overall and shot 36% from the field. Turnovers also proved to be the difference, Lee had 23 and Hilltoppers' 13.

The Lady Flames return to action on Saturday, hosting Grace College (Ind.) in the annual exhibition Homecoming game beginning at 12 noon.