CLEVELAND, Tenn. –  A strong second half from Zach Gray led the Lee University men's basketball team past Christian Brothers University 82-72 on Saturday afternoon. After just four points in the first half, Gray dominated the second half with 23 points enroute to a new 27-point career high. The Flames won their second straight game for the first time since the start of conference play in December. With the win the Flames improved to 8-7 overall and 5-6 in GSC play. 
 
The two teams came out trading punches with six lead changes in the first ten minutes. CBU then found a groove and pushed the lead out to 31-23. Lee responded with an 8-0 run late in the first half and went into the break down by just one point at 38-37. 
 
After trading the lead twice early in the second half, Zach Gray hit back-to-back three-point shots and the Flames never trailed again. Lee led by as many as 15 points before winning the game by ten.
 
There were not many fouls called in the game. The two teams combined for just five in the first half. The whole game just featured 17 combined. Lee had nine and CBU had eight. Two of the fouls came via a double technical on Dayveun Anderson for Lee and Iman Kheirati on CBU.
 
Ben Ritger followed up his big performance on Thursday with 15 points in the win. Tylon Chatman added 14. Lee shot 55.9% in the game including 69% in the second half.  The Flames had 17 assists and just seven turnovers in the loss.
 
Lee will start the second half of GSC action on Thursday, January 22 at Auburn University Montgomery
 
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"It was a good weekend for our team. It was so of the most complete basketball we played in these two games. Still a lot to improve on but proud of our defense effort. Different guys have stepped up for us this weekend. We have felt like our backs were against the wall at points so far but there is still a lot of games to be played."