HUNTSVILLE, Ala. –For the first time in program history, the Lee University men's basketball team as defeated the University of Alabama in Huntsville on their home court on Saturday afternoon. Lee beat UAH 72-65 at Spragins Hall to improve to 15-5 overall and 12-5 in Gulf South Conference play. UAH fell to 14-7 overall and 12-5 in GSC action. 
 
Beyuan Hendricks and Noah Boler-Kyle led the Flames in the stat sheet on Saturday. Hendricks had 32 points, while Boler-Kyle put up a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds.
 
The Chargers led 7-5 early before Hendricks hit his first three point shot of the game. Lee led 8-7 with 16 minutes left in the first half and never trailed again in the contest. Over the next six minutes of action, Lee extended the lead out to a ten point lead at 21-11. 
 
UAH cut the gap down to 27-21, but Tariq Daughton, Hendricks, and Boler-Kyle combined to create a 7-3 run to end the first half
 
The Chargers came out of the locker room urgently cutting the lead down to 39-34 very quickly. Despite their best efforts defensively, Lee could not keep UAH from making shots as they finally tied the game at 50-50 with eight minutes left in the contest. 
 
The two teams traded buckets before Hendricks hit another three-point shot to give Lee the 56-52 lead and then the Flames hit their free throws to hold on to the win.
 
Lee outrebounded UAH 37-26 which led them to 11 second chance points compared to just two from UAH. The Flames also made eight three-point shots compared to six for the Chargers. Lee also got to the free throw line 25 times making 19 of them.
 
The Flames will return home on Wednesday, February 7 at 7:30 PM as they will host Auburn University Montgomery at Walker Arena.
 
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
 
"What a great road trip. Really happy for our guys that have been around a while to finally complete this road trip with two wins. We've been close but finally completed it this weekend."
 
"We had a fast start that was important, but we knew they would make a run.  I'm really proud of how the guys finished the game."
 
"You have to have a guy step up and make shots against UAH and Beyuan, like he's done all year, put us on his shoulders."
 
"Also the defensive effort from the group, especially JJ and Tariq to hold Tommy and Luke under their averages was huge!"
 
"We've responded well after a tough stretch, now it's equally important to respond well after a little bit of success."