CLEVELAND, Tenn. –With just 0.5 seconds left on the clock, Tariq Daughton hit a three-point shot to force overtime, but it wasn't enough as the Lee University men's basketball team fell to Delta State University 87-81 in overtime on senior night in Walker Arena. The loss snapped a nine game win streak for the Flames but the remain in second place in the Gulf South Conference with a 18-6 overall record and a 16-6 record in GSC play.
In a game that featured 12 ties and five lead changes, neither team led by more than seven points in a thrilling Gulf South Conference game. There were six ties in the first ten minutes of the contest before the Flames went on a short run. With eight minutes left in the first half the game was tied at 21-21 before Lee pulled away slightly and led it 33-27. DSU scored right before the halftime break and made it 33-29 at the end of the first period.
DSU slowly began to chip away and eventually took a 47-45 lead midway through the second half. They would extend the lead out to five points vefore Lee came back and tied it a 50. The Statesmen would again push the lead out to seven points before Lee began to get closer. The game ended up being tied at 69-69 before the dramatics ensued.
Keithean Brooks hit a shot for Delta State and was fouled. He made the free throw to go up 72-69 with eight seconds left in the game. Lee called a timeout. Out of the timeout Daughton attempted a three-point shot but had it tipped and go out of bounds. The Flames had one last chance with 0.5 seconds left on the clock. Daughton caught the inbounds pass and knocked the three down to send it to overtime.
In overtime, DSU hit a couple of shots and made several free throws and Lee couldn't keep up and fell 87-81.
The Flames were 11-for-21 from the free throw line in the loss while DSU was 24-for-34. Beyuan Hendricks led the way for Lee with 31 points while JJ Barnes had 1. Brooks had 34 points for DSU while Maalik Cartwright had 23.
Before the match, the Flames honored four seniors: Josh Lowe, Alex Kelehear, Beyuan Hendricks, and JJ Barnes.
The Flames will stay at home for their final home game of the regular season as they will host first place University of West Georiga. The tipoff is set for Wednesday, February 21 at 7:30 PM.
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"Our guys fought very hard but they were they were a little tougher in some areas. In a lot of statistical areas we were pretty good, but we turned the ball over 19 times and missed ten free throws."
"When it came to finishing plays especially on the defensive end, DSU wanted the ball and came got the win."
These seniors have been around for a long time and all have different roles. The imprint all four of seniors have had will be felt in our program for a long time. I am proud of how they are leading."
