CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Tariq Daughton and Tylon Chatman led the way for the Lee University men's basketball team to snap a seven-game losing streak on Thursday evening. The Flames used an 8-0 run over four and half minutes to help earn a 64-56 win over Mississippi College at Walker Arena.
The Flames earned their first win in Gulf South Conference play snapping a seven-game winning streak. They improved to 5-7 overall and 1-7 in conference. Mississippi College fell to 6-9 overall and 2-7 in GSC action. The Flames will remain at home and take on Delta State University on Saturday at Walker Arena.
It was a poor shooting night for both teams as Lee was 40% from the floor while MC was 35%. The Flames took advantage at the free throw line going 17-for-21 in the win.
The Flames led the majority of the first half and led by as many as seven points, but Rashad Bolden banked in a half-court shot as time expired in the first half to make it 27-23. Lee came out strong to start the second period to extend the lead to as much as nine at 38-29.
However, MC responded with their own run. Over the next few minutes, they outscored Lee 14-2 to take the 43-40 lead. After the team traded buckets, Lee stepped up defensively and held the Choctaws scoreless for almost five minutes and pushed the lead out to 53-47.
The Flames had big plays from several sophomores over the next couple of minutes to seal the win. Jamarcus Wilkins found Zach Gray on a cut who laid it in and was fouled. He made the free throw to make it a seven-point lead. Wilkins then had his own three-point play as he had a fast break layup and a free throw. Chatman tied a career high with 13 points including hitting a big three point shot with three minutes left in the contest. Senior Tariq Daughton had a season best 15 points including four made free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"Wilkins flipped the game with his aggressive play down the stretch. I am really proud on how we guarded their best player Rashad Bolden.He averages 24 points a game and we only let him get 14. We really executed the game plan and found a way to win. We had energy on the court and on the bench."
