CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Despite a career high 25 points from Willie Walton, the Lee University men's basketball team fell to the University of Tampa 83-77 on Friday. Lee fell to 0-2 on the year while Tampa improved to 5-0. Lee will take on Miles College at home on Sunday.
Walton had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Flames. He was 10-of-18 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Jamarcus Wilkins added 14 points and ten rebounds, and freshman Jonathan Woodlee had ten points.
Tampa took advantage of Lee mistakes. The Flames had 21 turnovers and the Spartans had 29 points off of it. Tampa also took 30 free throws and converted 23 while Lee was just 13-of-18.
Tampa outscored Lee 43-33 in the first half but the Flames made it close in the second half outscoring the Spartans 44-40.
Lee had more rebounds, assists, and shot a better percentage from the floor, but could not overcome the turnovers in the loss.
Coach Bubba Smith's Thoughts:
"We handled some of their pressure and got some good things, but we couldn't get sustained runs or stops. Every time we had some momentum we gave it right back. It's the first time we seen this type of defense this year and we have to be able to learn fro m it."
