BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Haylee Johnson, who turned in her top performance of the season, hit a driving shot with just over four seconds remaining in the game to give the Lee University women a 68-66 lead. Union University quickly called a timeout and after moving the ball to half-court, set up a 3-point shot that missed, giving the Lady Flames the thrilling victory in the semifinals of the GSC tournament being held at Samford University's Pete Hannah Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Flames trailed the NCAA DII sixth-ranked Lady Bulldogs by 13 points heading into the final period. After making only 1-of-8 3-point attempts in the third quarter, Lee came back and made 4-of-4 triples in the final frame in the huge come-from-behind win. In fact, Coach Marty Rowe's club's victory over a team they had lost to by 20 points in the last meeting, finished the contest by making just 5-of-24 3-point attempts.

Johnson made 8-of-17 shots from the field and nailed her only triple in the final period plus two big free throws. She finished the contest with 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Mallory Hampton also had a clutch 3-pointer in the fourth frame, two free throws and a field goal. She totaled 21 points and had her first double-double of the season with 11 rebounds. Anna Muhonen got into foul trouble but battled down the stretch for 10 points and seven rebounds.

Union had four players in double-figure scoring. Shanique Lucas led the way with 17 points, Jazalyn Anousinh and Brooke Hampel totaled 11 points each while Lauren West tossed in 10. Hampel also led the Lady Bulldogs with nine rebounds.

Lee shot 45% from the field (25-of-56). They were almost perfect from the free-throw line making 13-of-15.

Lee did an excellent job of defending a good shooting Union team, limiting the losing club to 36% from the field (21-of-59) and maybe their lowest percentage from beyond the arc for the season, 9-of-32 (28%). They marched to the line 19 times and converted 15.

In the earlier game on Saturday, Valdosta State defeated Auburn Montgomery 79-55 and will face the Lady Flames in the championship game on Sunday at 12 noon (EDT).

Coach Marty Rowe's thoughts:

"It was a complete team effort by our girls today. We couldn't make a 3-point shot until we got things going in the final quarter. I am really proud of the way we played defense today. On that final 3-point attempt by Union, we guarded it exactly the way we had it drawn up. We had two players going right at their 3-point shooter.

"Haley Jo (Johnson) had her best game of the year and we knew she could play that way. Anna (Muhonen) also played well and Mallory (Hampton) was just Mallory. She made those big shots when we had to have them.

"We will go back and try to get our girls rested and get ready for a tough game with Valdosta State tomorrow. There is a reason they are the No. 1-seed in the tournament and the No.1-ranked team in our region."