CLEVELAND, Tenn. – After being deadlocked after twenty minutes of action, the Lee University men's basketball team used two separate scoring runs to pull away and defeat the Auburn University of Montgomery Warhawks 81-73 on Saturday. The Flames led by as many as 21 points as they improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Gulf South Conference play.
 
The first half was a battle as the two teams traded the lead several times and had several ties. The largest lead for either team was seven points in the first half.
 
The second half started strong for Lee. Tylon Chatman hit a three-point shot and then a technical foul on AUM gave the Flames a five-point lead. A Davyeun Anderson layup and a Tim Vaughn jumper made it a 9-0 Lee run, and the Flames were off to the races. The Flames followed the first run with a 12-0 run a couple of minutes later and led it 62-41. AUM closed the gap, but Lee held on for the win.
 
Anderson and Chatman led the way with 17 points apiece. Anderson added 10 rebounds for a double-double. He had five assists and three steals as well. Chatman added nine assists. Vaughn had 15 points while Willie Walton and Zach Gray had 14 points.
 
As a team the Flames shot 56.9% from the field, (29-51) while holding AUM to 37% (27-73). Aum remained close in the game thanks to 17 offensive rebounds and 18 second chance points.
 
Lee will head to Alabama for the first conference road trip of the season with the Flames going to Livingston, Ala. on Thursday, December 11 to take on the University of West Alabama.
 
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"We will take the win. Our guys are disappointed on how we finished the game. We started the game a little flat and didn't really execute a good game plan. We did what we talked about at halftime and opened up a good lead but a little frustrating we didn't finish the game better. As we get into the next stretch of games we won't be able to do that."