CLEVELAND, Tenn.-Lee's women's basketball team was led by its defense in holding Delta State University to only two points in the second period and 11 points the entire first half in recording a 60-33 victory on Saturday afternoon inside Walker Arena. The victory improved the Lady Flames record to 17-8 overall and 15-6 in GSC play. The Lady Statesmen dropped to 13-12, 11-10.
Lee, which has already secured a spot in the post-season playoffs, earned the right to host a first round game for the first round of the GSC tournament. They will continue to battle in the standings for seeding purposes when it hosts the University of  West Georgia on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. West Georgia defeated the Lady Flames in an earlier meeting between the two teams.
The Lee defense held the Lady Statesmen to only 14 field goals the entire contest as they shot 30% from the field. The visitors also attempted eight triples and converted one. They were limited to eight charity tosses and made four.
Coach Marty Rowe was again impressed with his team's work on the glass. Addison Smith and Haley Cameron pulled down seven rebounds apiece as the Lady Flames outrebounded Delta State 38-25. Nine different Lee players had rebounds and Mia Hurst grabbed five to go along with eight points.
It was not a great shooting night for the Lady Flames (23-of-66) 41% from the field. They hit only 6-of-23 3-pointers (26%) and added 6-of-10 free throws. Mallory Hampton had 17 points, three assists and three steals to pace the Lee attack. Cameron added nine markers while Haylee Johnson and Anna Muhonen tossed in five points each. Muhonen collected four rebounds and Johnson had four assists and three steals.
Grace Watson was the only Delta State player in double figures. She scored 13 of their 33 points and had seven rebounds. Makenzie Hill finished with six. The Lee defense forced the visitors into 17 turnovers while committing 13 floor mistakes. The Lady Flames also outscored the Lady Statesmen 34-24 in points in the paint and again Coach Rowe got key performance from his players off the bench as they outscored the opponent 30-11.
After the contest, the Lady Flames recognized their lone senior Ally Welfel for senior night.
Coach Marty Rowe's thoughts:
"We defended with purpose and urgency again today and that is really the key for us, not only being successful today, but for down the remaining stretch. We talked a lot about not having any slippage in our approach today and we did a great job of that."
"With every game this group seems to be gaining confidence. I think they have been searching for an identity most of the year and it is fun watching them start to figure out who they are as a group."
