CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Despite a late push to bring it within four points, the deficit was too much for the Lee University men's basketball team as they fell to Trevecca Nazarene University on Saturday evening. The Trojans led by as many as 17 points in the contest and held on to win 82-78. With the loss, the Flames fell to 4-7 on the season and have lost seven straight contests in the Gulf South Conference slate.
 
Both teams traded buckets early on, but Trevecca remained out in front thanks to making their free throws. The Trojans were 12-for-14 from the charity stripe in the first half while the Flames were 1-of-1.
 
With 5:21 left in the first half, A Tylon Chatman floater made it just a two-point lead for TNU at 26-24, but then the Trojans went on a big run. They outscored the Flames 16-4 in the last five minutes and after a 7-0 run, led it 42-28 at the break.
 
The second half started with the team trading buckets. Tariq Daughton hit a couple of three-point shots to keep it close, but Jalen Page and Jakari Johnson for Trevecca kept pushing the lead.
 
The Trojans pushed the lead out to as many as 17 points at 65-48 with 8:12 left in the contest. But then Zach Gray took over for the Flames. He scored all 14 of his points in the last eight minutes and pulled the Flames back within seven points. Gray had a steal and a chance to cut to make it a five-point game with two and half minutes left, but NaVuan Peterson blocked his shot to keep it a 76-69 game. Willie Walton hit a couple of late threes, but the Trojans made their free throws and hung on to win 82-78.
 
Lee made three more field goals in the loss than Trevecca, but the Trojans scored 25 points off of 17 Flame turnovers while Lee only managed eight points off of 12 TNU turnovers. 
 
The Trojans ended the game 19-for-22 from the free throw line while Lee was 10-of-12. Daughton had a season high 15 points while Gray had 14. Chatman chipped in 12 and Marlon Smith had ten points.
 
Lee will stay at home with a matchup against Mississippi College on Thursday, January 9 at 7:30 PM.
 
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
 
"Really disappointed today. Our effort is inconsistent and being controlled by things that happens in the game. 
 
Stats in the first half told the story. Trevecca got a lot of offensive rebounds and we had too many turnovers. Second chance opportunities gave Trevecca a lot of confidence in the first half. 
 
We weren't very tough tonight in certain areas. We have to figure out what adjustments are necessary going down the road."