LIVINGSTON, Ala. –In another rugged battle, the Lee University men's basketball team held on to beat the University of West Alabama 52-51 in Pruitt Hall to earn the season sweep over the Tigers. It was a contest that featured 17 lead changes. Lee took the lead for good with 2:29 left in the contest and held on for the win. With the win, the Flames move into third place in the Gulf South Conference with a 14-5 record and 11-5 record in conference action.
The game started off sluggishly for both teams as only a combined nine points were scored in the four minutes. Neither team could get any footing as it was tied 12-12 halfway through the first period. Zach Grey finally got the Flames a little spark off the bench with five quick points to extend the lead out to its furthest point at 22-15. UWA didn't go away and at the halftime break, Lee only led 24-23.
UWA started the second half strong and jumped out to their largest lead of the contest at 31-26. The Flames responded right back though with a dink and layup from Tim Vaughn and a three-point shot from Beyuan Hendricks to give the Flames the one-point lead once again.
After that point, neither team led by more than three points as the teams traded the lead 17 times and tied the game eight more times. Lee only scored four points in the last two and half minutes and both buckets coming from Tim Vaughn layups.
UWA had a shot to win at the buzzer, but the off balance shot from Kuran Garner was too strong and the Flames held on for the win.
Both teams shot very poorly from the field, Lee was 22-for-49 from the field for 44% while UWA was 17-for-53 for 32%. Lee was 22% shooting from the three-point arc while the Tigers were 27%. The Flames also out rebounded the Tigers 35-30 in the win.
Lee was led by Hendricks who had 11 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Vaughn added 10 points and four rebounds. JJ Barnes had nine rebounds and Gray had 10 points.
Lee will continue the road trip in Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday, February 3. The Flames will take on the University of Alabama in Huntsville at 5 PM.
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"Proud of the guys tonight. Not the prettiest of games from both teams, but a typical Lee/UWA defensive battle. Sometimes you just must find a way to win, and we were one possession better than them tonight."
"Really proud of different guys stepping in tonight. We've had some guys out with sickness this week and our flow was just off a little offensively, but the defensive effort was good again. Our guards really rebounded it and Zach gave us big lift and made some big timely baskets. Proud of the team win!"
