CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The University of West Florida used a strong second half to rally and beat the home Lee University men's basketball team 65-61 on Thursday evening. The Flames let a 12 point second half lead slip away and fell to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in Gulf South Conference play. It is the third straight loss for the Flames.
The two teams traded the lead multiple times in the first five minutes of the contest. UWF used a two-minute scoring drought from Lee to pull ahead 20-15. Lee then rallied and went on a 6-0 run to take the 21-20 lead. After an Argo timeout, Lee continued the run to extend the lead to a 25-20 game behind a Tylon Chatman three and a Willie Alton layup.
After an Argo layup, Lee had another 7-0 run to make it a 32-22 game. UWF settled back down and made it 37-28 at halftime.
The Argos continued their string play to start the second half and went on a 6-0 run over the first four minutes to cut it back to a three-point deficit. However, Lee had another answer. They had their own 9-0 run to make it 46-34. After that, the Flames scoring woes began. UWF slowly chipped away at the lead and after a four-minute scoring drought by the Flames. UWF tied the game at 57.
In the last three minutes the two teams traded a few buckets and UWF made their free throws to win 65-61.
Lee was 10-of-12 from the free throw line while UWF was 14-of-16. The Flames held the Argos to just 1-of-15 from long range while Lee was 7-for-20.
Chatman led the Flames with 20 points while Walton had ten. Those were the only two players for Lee in double-digit scoring. UWF's Aric Demings had 17 points while Elijah Wyche had 15 , Tim Hall Jr. had 14 points, and Anthony Igiede had 11.
Lee will look to bounce back against Valdosta State University on Saturday, December 20 at 4 PM.
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"UWF picked up their pressure and physicality out of the halftime break, and we didn't handle it well. We turned the ball over too many times. We didn't have the same pace and movement on offense like we did in the first half. We allowed the pressure to speed us up and get us out of what we do good well. We have to figure out a way to execute down the stretch."
