CLEVELAND, Tenn. –Behind another stellar performance from graduate guard Beyuan Hendricks, the Lee University men's basketball team defeated Auburn University Montgomery 79-69 Wednesday night in Walker Arena. Hendricks had 27 points for the Flames shooting 10-for-18 from the field to lead the team. With the win, the Flames won their seventh straight game and moved into sole possession of second place in the Gulf South Conference standings.
It was highly competitive first few minutes of the contes as both teams jumped out to leads early. Lee led 15-10 and then things really heated up. The two teams traded the lead six times in six straight possessions before the Flames finally grabbed the lead for good. Behind a dunk from Noah Boler-Kyle and a three-point shot from Willie Walton, Lee went on a 8-0 run to pull ahead 28-21.
The Flames pushed the lead out to 11 points before leading 44-39 at the halftime break. The second half was one of short runs and Lee got out to a 53-43 lead. AUM answered right back and managed to tie the game at 59-59. Then Hendrick took over for the Flames as he went on a 7-0 run by himself scoring on two layups and three-point shot. Lee never let the lead go below six points in the final few minutes to earn the 79-69 win.
Hendricks 27 points led Lee while Tim Vaughn added 24 and JJ Barnes added 13. Joseph Lanzi had 19 points to lead AUM.
The Flames were 29-for-62 from the floor scoring 34 point in the paint. Both teams were 12-for-17 from the free throw line.
The Flames will be back in action on Saturday, February 10 in Rome, Ga. Lee will take on rival Shorter University at 2 PM at the Winthrop King Centre.
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"AUM is a tough guard for us. They have been playing really well recently so we knew they would compete and wouldn't quit. But when we needed to get some stops down the stretch we had them."
We only had nine turnovers tonight and had big plays and stops when we needed them."
"Beyuan is doing what you hope a senior is doing and has been so consistent. He and JJ have been so great playing off of each other this season and it has really worked."
